India on Monday extended cautious support to Pakistan’s crackdown against Lashkar-e-Taiba leader Hafiz Saeed. Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement that placing Mr Saeed under anti-terror act of Pakistan would help in ridding South Asia from cross border terrorism.
“Effecive action mandated internationally against him (Hafiz Saeed) and his terrorist organisations and colleagues is a logical first step in bringing them to justice, and in ridding our region of the twin menaces of terrorism and violent extremism,” MEA Spokesperson Vikas Swarup told the media.
India’s comments came two days after Pakistan listed Hafiz Saeed and four of his aides under the anti-terrorism act of Punjab province, and imposed further restrictions on his movements. Pakistan had begun taking steps against the terror leader and had placed him under “preventive detention” on January 30. Earlier reports had suggested that Mr Saeed would launch a political party to sidestep the imminent crack down.
India has been demanding action against Lashkar-e-Taiba and particularly against Hafiz Saeed citing his involvement in plotting the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
“Hafiz Saeed is an international terrorist, the mastermind of Mumbai terrorist attack and responsible for unleashing wave of terrorism against Pakistan’s neighbours through Let/JuD and their affiliates,” Mr Swarup said arguing for further actions against terror suspects.
