Hafiz Saeed's release shows Pakistan's attempt to mainstream proscribed terrorists, says outraged India

In a sharp reaction to the release of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed after a 10-month-long house arrest, India on Thursday said the development confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistan government and shows its attempt to mainstream proscribed terrorists. 

"His release confirms once again the lack of seriousness on the part of Pakistan government. It also appears to be an attempt by Pakistani system to mainstream proscribed terrorists," Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said today. 

"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," he added. 

Kumar said that not only India but the entire International community is outraged that a self confessed and a UN proscribed terrorist is being allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda.

India's reaction came a day after a Judicial Review Board of Pakistan's Punjab province ordered the release of amaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief, who has been under house arrest since January. 

The United States has also expressed its displeasure over the potential release of Hafiz Saeed, a terrorist leader designated by both the United Nations and the US. 

Saeed carries a bounty of USD 10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities.

"The government is ordered to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed if he is not wanted in any other case," the board said in its order on Wednesday.

The government of Pakistan’s Punjab province had asked for a three-month extension to Saeed’s detention but the request was turned down by the board.

Last month, the board had allowed a 30-day extension to the detention of Saeed which will expire next week.

Saeed and his four aides - Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain - were detained on January 31, by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997.

Saeed's four aides were set free in the last week of October.

Lashkar-e-Toiba, an outfit founded by Hafiz Seed, is believed to be responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack, in which 166 people were killed.