LAHORE – The leader of Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Hafiz Saeed has claimed that Indiais using the Afghan soil against Pakistan as his controversial release latelast year resulted into growing US pressures on Pakistan as Saeed isaccused of major terrorist attacks including the deadly 2008 Mumbai attack.

In a gathering at Masjid Al-Qadsia on Friday, Saeed claimed that India andAmerica have encircled Pakistan and are specially targeting Balochistan forterrorism.

He went on to claim that India is plotting against Pakistan by using Afghansoil and said efforts were being made to make Pakistan a battlefield.

Saeed was also individually designated by the United Nations under UNSCR1267 in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attack in which166 people, including six American citizens, were killed.

LeT and several of its front organizations, leaders, and operatives remainunder both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions.

Since 2012, the United States has offered a U.S. $10 million‎ reward forinformation that brings Saeed to justice.

Saeed was released on Friday morning from house arrest after a courtrejected to extend his detention on Wednesday.

In reaction to his release, the White House said “Saeed’s release, afterPakistan’s failure to prosecute or charge him, sends a deeply troublingmessage about Pakistan’s commitment to combating international terrorismand belies Pakistani claims that it will not provide sanctuary forterrorists on its soil.”

“If Pakistan does not take action to lawfully detain Saeed and charge himfor his crimes, its inaction will have repercussions for bilateralrelations and for Pakistan’s global reputation,” the White House added.