In a major boost to New Delhi’s fight against terrorism, the US administration of President Barack Obama has announced a reward of $10 million for the capture or information leading to the arrest of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed.
Pakistan-based Hafiz Saeed is the founder of one of the deadliest terrorist outfits Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and the chief of the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).
India has since been pressing for action against Saeed, but he continues to roam freely in Pakistan making anti-India tirades. He has often been seen holding public meetings in Islamabad in the presence for several Pakistani ministers.
In its defence, Pakistan has repeatedly said that it will be able to take action against Saeed only if India provides “actionable” and “substantive” evidence against him.
The JuD chief is often seen holding public meetings in Islamabad in the presence for several Pakistani ministers.
Shortly after the 26/11 attacks, Saeed was placed under house arrest in late 2009 in view of increased pressure from the Indian government. However, the Lahore High Court quashed all cases against Saeed and set him free.
In what was a setback for India, the court also declared that JuD was not a banned outfit and could work freely in Pakistan.
–Agencies