Rawalpindi: Pakistan’s claims regarding putting the banned Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, under house arrest has been laid bare again as a senior Police official has clarified that the authorities have only ‘restricted’ his movement.
Interacting with media persons at a press conference here, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tariq Saleem Dogar said Saeed has neither been arrested nor put under house arrest, rather the police is providing an extra security cover to the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s (LeT) founder leader.
Responding to a question, Dogar said involvement of the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), in various terror strikes that have rocked the province in the recent past is yet to be ascertained.
“The involvement of the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing in any incident of terrorism in Punjab has yet to be determined as investigations are underway and all those arrested so far are Pakistanis,” The Daily Times quoted Dogar, as saying.
He also claimed that the Punjab Police has solved all major cases of terrorism, including the suicide bombing targeting the Rescue 15 building in Lahore and other attacks in Rawalpindi and has arrested the culprits.
Saeed was reportedly placed under house arrest earlier this week.
The Pakistani authorities had also barred him from leading Eid prayers.
Saeed’s house arrest came three days after police in Faisalabad registered two FIRs under the Anti-Terrorism Act for inciting people to wage jihad.
While India has continuously been demanding stern action Saeed and has provided Islamabad half a dozen dossiers containing proof regarding Saeed’s involvement in the 26/11 carnage, Pakistan maintains that there are not enough evidence against him.
India sees Saeed’s arrest as a face saving excercise and sources believe that if the Lashkar chief is not punished for the 26/11 Mumbai attack, it will have a negative impact on bilaterial relations and ensure limited dialogue.
It is not only India but the US too has been exerting pressure on Pakistan to act against Saeed recently.
US envoy to India Timothy Roamer had earlier urged Pakistan to punish Saeed.
ANI
First Published: Friday, September 25, 2009, 17:23