Bring perpetrators of 26/11 attack to justice: US asks Pak

Concerned over the release of JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, allegedly linked to the 26/11 attacks, the US on Thursday asked Pakistan to bring to justice perpetrators of last year's terror attack on Mumbai.

India and the US have maintained that terrorist leaders based in Pakistan were responsible for the strike.

"We believe the Government of Pakistan should continue its investigation to ensure that all those who are responsible for the attack are in fact brought to justice," assistant secretary of State for Public Affairs, Philip J Crowley told reporters at the State Department press briefing.

"We continue to impress upon the Government of Pakistan, the importance of bringing the perpetrators of the Mumbai attacks to justice," he said in response to a query.

Under fire from India and the US over the release of Saeed, Pakistan on Wednesday said it will challenge the Lahore High Court's decision to set Saeed free in the Supreme Court.

Lahore High Court on Tuesday allowed Saeed's petition challenging his detention and ordered his immediate release, holding the detention of the 59-year-old founder of the Lashker-e-Toiba as illegal.

While noting that the US respects the rule of law in Pakistan, Crowley said: "We just want to make sure that Pakistan is in fact acting aggressively against extremist elements within its borders."