‘Mastermind’ of attacks released
PAKISTAN: An Islamist leader accused of masterminding the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks walked free from house arrest in Pakistan yesterday, paving the way for a controversial move into politics before elections next year.
Hafiz Saeed, who has a US$10 million United States bounty on his head for his alleged role in the attacks, which killed 166 people, was released after a court ruling in Lahore.
Saeed has always denied involvement in the attacks.
A hero to many Pakistanis, Saeed founded the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-taiba (LET), which carried out the Mumbai attacks. He could become a politician under a contentious scheme to deradicalise militant groups by ushering them into the mainstream.
After living freely for years in Pakistan, Saeed, 67, had been confined to his home in Lahore since January, when the government bowed to international pressure to detain him.
His release will infuriate India, Pakistan’s arch-rival. Indian authorities are seeking his extradition to stand trial for the Mumbai attacks, in which LET gunmen targeted luxury hotels, a Jewish centre and a railway station in India’s biggest city and brought the nuclear-armed neighbours to the brink of war.
In a statement released after the court ruling, Saeed underlined his support for the militant campaign against India, focused on the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
‘‘I am fighting for the cause of Kashmir, which is why India was after me,’’ he said. ‘‘We shall be successful. This is a great step for freedom for Pakistan.’’
Saeed’s release clears the way for him to play a starring role in Pakistan’s general election next year. During his period of house arrest, he oversaw the launch of a political party, the Milli Muslim League, which is set to contest several seats.
His release will cast a new cloud over the thorny relationship between Islamabad and Washington. US President Donald Trump has signalled a tougher line against covert Pakistani support for Islamist militias.