Lahore High Court releases Mumbai Terror attack mastermind: India expresses anger

Lahore, June 2: The Lahore High Court has lifted the House Arrest of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD) leader Hafiz Saeed who is alleged to be the mastermind of 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai.

Basing on the Habeas Corpus petition filed by Hafiz’s counsel, the court has ordered his release. However, Pakistan government has refused to accept the demand of India to hand him over.

India outraged at Hafiz Saeed'release, says it contradicts Pak stand

Reacting sharply about the development, India said the decision raised serious doubts over Islamabad’s sincerity in acting with determination against terrorist groups operating from that country.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in a statement in New Delhi that actions of Pakistan raised questions about the sincerity of Pakistan’s investigations into the conspiracy planned, launched and executed terrorist attacks on Mumbai, in which hundreds of innocent Indian and foreign nationals lost their lives. “We are disappointed at the release of Hafiz Saeed,” the spokesperson said. He said He said Hafiz Saeed is the head of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa and Lashkar-e-Taiba organisations listed by the United Nations under UNSC Resolution 1267 as being affiliates of Al-Qaeda and Taliban. Hafiz Saeed is specifically listed as linked to these terrorist groups, he added.

''It is regrettable that notwithstanding this background and the international obligations it entails on Pakistan, he has been released,'' the spokesman said.