New Delhi: In a sharp reaction to Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi's release order by a Pakistani court today, India said this “eroded” the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to it by Pakistan on cross-border terrorism.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said “our concerns on this issue have been made known to the Government of Pakistan in the past. These shall be reiterated.
“The fact is that known terrorists not being effectively prosecuted constitutes a real security threat for India and the world. This also erodes the value of assurances repeatedly conveyed to us with regard to cross-border terrorism.”
India's reaction came after the Lahore High Court suspended the detention of 55-year-old Lakhvi under Maintenance of Public Order as the government there failed to present sensitive records against him in the court. The judge ordered Lakhvi to submit two surety bonds worth Rs 1 million each for his release.
Earlier, the Home Ministry termed the development as “extremely disappointing” and asked Pakistan to immediately ensure that he does not come out of jail. “This is an extremely disappointing development. Pakistan must ensure that terrorists like Lakhvi do not come out of jail,” a senior Home Ministry official said.
He further added that “Pakistan should immediately take all legal measures at appropriate forum to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims of Mumbai terror attack.”
Lakhvi and six others - Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, Hamad Amin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younis Anjum - have been charged with planning and executing the Mumbai attack in November, 2008 that left 166 people dead.
Lakhvi, believed to be a close relative of LeT founder and Jamaat-Ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, was arrested in December, 2008 and was indicted along with the six others on November 25, 2009 in connection with the 26/11 attack case. The trial has been underway since 2009.
