AMN –
India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi’s release. Indian envoy in Islamabad met Pakistan Foreign Secretary and underlined that the release of Lakhvi has reinforced the perception that Pakistan has a dual policy on dealing with terrorists and those who have carried out attacks or are posing a threat to India are being dealt with differently.
In a statement, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson said the Indian High Commissioner also emphasized that this is a most negative development in so far as bilateral ties are concerned.
Voicing con
cern over the development, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said India wants talks with Pakistan but the release of the Mumbai attack mastermind is an “unfortunate and disappointing” development. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function in Lucknow, Mr Singh said India wants talks with Pakistan but the release of Lakhvi is unfortunate and disappointing.
Earlier today top Lashkar leader and 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi has been released from jail today. After spending nearly six years in detention Lakhvi was released from Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi, a day after Lahore High Court suspended his detention and ordered his immediate release. The Court took the decision after the Pakistan government failed to present sensitive records against him in the court.
Lakhvi’s counsel said that Pakistan government was left with no other ‘legal option’ but to release him. Lakhvi and six others have been charged with planning and executing the 2008 Mumbai attack that killed 166 people and wounding over 300. Lakhvi was arrested in December 2008 and was indicted in connection with the 26/11 attack case. The trial has been underway since 2009.