US asks Pakistan to re-arrest JuD chief Hafiz Saeed

Meanwhile, Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafeez Saeed, the leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), who walked free from house arrest, has promised to unite Pakistan for the independence of Kashmir from India, reports said.

The US has expressed 'deep concern' over the release of the JuD chief.

"The United States is deeply concerned that Lashkar-e-Tayyiba (LeT) leader Hafiz Saeed has been released from house arrest in Pakistan. LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens. The Pakistani government should make sure that he is arrested and charged for his crimes," read the US government statement.

"In May 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. 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," it said.

Saeed was quoted in the media as saying, "I fight the case of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir. And we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom."

Saeed was placed under house arrest for 10 months.

According to him, it was under US' pressure that the Pakistani government obliged to place him under detention.

Saeed has also accused India of putting up baseless claims against him.

"I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir," he said.

"... I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," Saeed told his supporters outside his residence.

"I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved three judges of the LHC ordered my release ...India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent," he added.

meanwhile, reacting to Saeed's release, India on Thursday said the development indicates Pakistan's attempt to mainstream terrorism.

“It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non state actors, and its true face is visible for all to see,” media reports quoted MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar as saying.

He also said the release of Saeed reflects the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistan.

“India is outraged that a self-confessed and UN-proscribed terrorist has been allowed to walk free. Pakistan’s lack of seriousness in bringing perpetrators of terror to justice is evident."