Mumbai bombing accused released
LAHORE/ISLAMABAD: A firebrand Pakistani Islamist accused of masterminding a bloody 2008 assault in the Indian city of Mumbai was yesterday released from house arrest and told his cheering supporters his freedom was vindication of his denial of guilt.
Hafiz Saeed, who has a $US10 million ($NZ14.5 million) bounty on his head, had been under house arrest since January after living freely in Pakistan for years, a sore point in Pakistan’s often fraught relations with both the United States and India.
Saeed has repeatedly denied involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 10 gunmen attacked targets in India’s largest city, including two luxury hotels, a Jewish centre and a train station in a rampage that killed 166 people.
The assault brought nuclear armed neighbours Pakistan and India to the brink of war.
‘‘I’m happy that no allegation against me was proved, which could have done damage to me, or my country’s interests,’’ Saeed told supporters after his release in the city of Lahore, according to a video released by the JamaatudDawa (JuD) Islamist charity, which he heads.
‘‘Thank God, we were vindicated.’’
The United States says the JuD is a front for the LashkareTaiba (LeT) militant group, which Saeed founded and which has been blamed for a string of highprofile attacks in India.
Pakistan officially banned the LashkareTaiba in 2002.
A court this week ordered an end to Saeed’s house arrest. He was shown celebrating with his supporters in the video, sharing sweets and chocolate cakes. — Reuters