India - US have encircled Pakistan: Hafiz Saeed
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LAHORE - The leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Hafiz Saeed has claimed that India is using the Afghan soil against Pakistan as his controversial release late last year resulted into growing US pressures on Pakistan as Saeed is accused of major terrorist attacks including the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack.
In a gathering at Masjid Al-Qadsia on Friday, Saeed claimed that India and America have encircled Pakistan and are specially targeting Balochistan for terrorism.
He went on to claim that India is plotting against Pakistan by using Afghan soil and said efforts were being made to make Pakistan a battlefield.
Saeed was also individually designated by the United Nations under UNSCR 1267 in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which 166 people, including six American citizens, were killed.
LeT and several of its front organizations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions.
Since 2012, the United States has offered a U.S. $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.
Saeed was released on Friday morning from house arrest after a court rejected to extend his detention on Wednesday.
In reaction to his release, the White House said “Saeed’s release, after Pakistan’s failure to prosecute or charge him, sends a deeply troubling message about Pakistan’s commitment to combating international terrorism and belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary for terrorists on its soil.”
“If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge him for his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateral relations and for Pakistan’s global reputation,” the White House added.
