Agencies, New Delhi
Expressing its outrage over release of Hafiz Saeed, mastermind behind 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and Chief of the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba, India on Thursday said his release confirmed once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistani government in bringing perpetrators of terror to justice.
At his regular media briefing here, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, “It appears to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists.
Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and its true face is visible for all to see.” Internationally proscribed terrorist Hafiz Saeed was under house arrest in Pakistan.
“As you are aware, he was the prime organiser of the Mumbai Terror Attacks in 2008 in which many Indians and nationals of several other countries were killed. He is also responsible for unleashing numerous other terror attacks against Pakistan’s neighbours.” the Spokesperson said.
“It is the responsibility of Pakistani government to fulfill its international obligations and take credible and effective action against terrorists like Hafiz Saeed.
India, as indeed the entire international community, is outraged that a self-confessed and UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue his evil agenda,” he added.
On Wednesday, a judicial body in Pakistan ordered the release of the 26/11 attack mastermind from house arrest, citing “insufficient evidence.”
On January 31, Saeed and his four aides – Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain – were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
The government can detain a person for up to three months under different charges but requires the approval of a judicial review board to extend detention. The US had announced a 10 million dollars bounty for Saaed for his alleged role in the Mumbai terror attack.
