Pakistan must ensure Lakhvi does not come out of jail, says Home Ministry

India on Thursday reacted strongly to a Pakistani court's order to release 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi terming it as an "extremely disappointing development" and asked Islamabad 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. The reaction came hours after the Lahore High Court suspended the detention of 55-year-old Lakhvi under Maintenance of Public Order after the government 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. "Pakistan should immediately take all legal measures at appropriate forum to ensure that justice is delivered to the victims of Mumbai terror attack," the Home Ministry official said.

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. 

Also Read: Pakistan court suspends Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi's detention; orders his release