Pakistan on Wednesday arrested 26/11 mastermind, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-anti-terror-court-grants-interim-pre-arrest-bail-to-hafiz-saeed-in-seminary-land-case-236176">Hafiz Saeed,</a> while he was on his way to Gujranwala from Lahore. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand. He was arrested by Pakistan's Punjab province's Counter-Terrorism Department. It is not immediately known the charges against him.

The arrest of Saeed comes days before Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visits the US on a bilateral visit.&nbsp;

This is not for the first time he has been arrested. The last time when he was arrested, the Pakistani courts had released him due to lack of evidence.&nbsp;

Earlier this month provincial Punjab government had slapped terror financing charges against 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and trusts run by him.

Watch: 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed arrested

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But India has rejected actions by Islamabad with one Indian government sources telling WION that "We have seen this 'action' before. Important that it is irreversible and verifiable."

New Delhi has been asked Islamabad to take credible, verifiable, irreversible &amp; sustainable measures on terror groups and financing of terror from any territory under its control.

The four main members of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JUD) who have been mentioned in the cases were-- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-condemns-release-of-hafiz-saeed-calls-for-immediate-re-arrest-25136">Hafiz Mohammad Saeed</a>, Abdul Rehman Makki (brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed), Ameer Hamza &amp; Mohammad Yahya Aziz.&nbsp;

The main charities listed are--Dawat Irshad Trust, Moaz Bin Jabal Trust, Al-Anfaal Trust, Al-Madina Foundation Trust &amp; Al-Hamd Trust who have been operating from major Pakistani cities like Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan.

According to Pakistan's Punjab government officials, "cases reveal that these individuals have been involved in raising funds to facilitate terror activities." and "operating under the umbrella of charities, these organizations have been funnelling funds to terror suspects and promoting terrorism".

Many see Saeed's arrest as Pakistan as acting under Financial Action Task Force or FATF's pressure who decided to keep Islamabad on greylist after missing two deadlines to meet its anti-terror financing commitments.

Speaking at the end of FATF plenary last month in Florida, president of the counter-terror financing body Marshall Billingslea said, "There is absolutely a possibility that Pakistan could be put on the blacklist" if it fails to fulfill its commitments before the next plenary in October in Paris.

Pakistan on Wednesday arrested 26/11 mastermind, Hafiz Saeed, while he was on his way to Gujranwala from Lahore. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand. He was arrested by Pakistan's Punjab province's Counter-Terrorism Department.

Pakistan on Wednesday arrested 26/11 mastermind, Hafiz Saeed, while he was on his way to Gujranwala from Lahore. He has been sent to jail on judicial remand. He was arrested by Pakistan's Punjab province's Counter-Terrorism Department. It is not immediately known the charges against him. The arrest of Saeed comes days before Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visits the US on a bilateral visit. This is not for the first time he has been arrested. The last time when he was arrested, the Pakistani courts had released him due to lack of evidence. Earlier this month provincial Punjab government had slapped terror financing charges against 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed and trusts run by him. Watch: 2008 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed arrested But India has rejected actions by Islamabad with one Indian government sources telling WION that "We have seen this 'action' before. Important that it is irreversible and verifiable." New Delhi has been asked Islamabad to take credible, verifiable, irreversible & sustainable measures on terror groups and financing of terror from any territory under its control. The four main members of Jamat-ud-Dawa (JUD) who have been mentioned in the cases were-- Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, Abdul Rehman Makki (brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed), Ameer Hamza & Mohammad Yahya Aziz. The main charities listed are--Dawat Irshad Trust, Moaz Bin Jabal Trust, Al-Anfaal Trust, Al-Madina Foundation Trust & Al-Hamd Trust who have been operating from major Pakistani cities like Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan. According to Pakistan's Punjab government officials, "cases reveal that these individuals have been involved in raising funds to facilitate terror activities." and "operating under the umbrella of charities, these organizations have been funnelling funds to terror suspects and promoting terrorism". Many see Saeed's arrest as Pakistan as acting under Financial Action Task Force or FATF's pressure who decided to keep Islamabad on greylist after missing two deadlines to meet its anti-terror financing commitments. Speaking at the end of FATF plenary last month in Florida, president of the counter-terror financing body Marshall Billingslea said, "There is absolutely a possibility that Pakistan could be put on the blacklist" if it fails to fulfill its commitments before the next plenary in October in Paris.

Pakistan arrests 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed

A US national on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the charges of helping and supporting <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/on-the-eve-of-2611-us-asks-pakistan-to-act-against-lashkar-e-taiba-179176">Pakistan-based terrorist group </a>Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

Michael Kyle Sewell, 18, who was arrested in February, admitted to encouraging an individual, identified in court documents only as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/arrested-terrorist-is-a-living-proof-provided-to-pakistan-jammu-and-kashmir-police-213247">co-conspirator 1, to join LeT</a>.

He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentencing is scheduled for August 12.

According to the guilty plea, Sewell provided the coconspirator, who he spoke to on social media, with contact information for an individual he believed could facilitate the coconspirator's travel to Pakistan to join the LeT.

Unbeknownst to Sewell and the coconspirator, the facilitator was an undercover FBI agent.

Sewell and the coconspirator discussed what the coconspirator should say to the undercover agent who posed as the facilitator, in order to gain the facilitator's trust and be permitted to join the LeT.

He also contacted the facilitator to vouch for the coconspirator's authenticity and told both of them that he would kill the co-conspirator if he turned out to be a spy.

The co-conspirator then contacted the facilitator and made arrangements to travel to Pakistan.

In February, Sewell was charged by the FBI with using social media to recruit people on behalf of the LeT and send them to Pakistan for terrorist training.

The LeT is a UN and US-designated global terrorist organisation and has carried out several terrorist attacks inside India, including the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 that took the lives of 166 people including several Americans.

A US national on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the charges of helping and supporting Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

A US national on Wednesday pleaded guilty to the charges of helping and supporting Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Michael Kyle Sewell, 18, who was arrested in February, admitted to encouraging an individual, identified in court documents only as co-conspirator 1, to join LeT. He now faces up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The sentencing is scheduled for August 12. According to the guilty plea, Sewell provided the coconspirator, who he spoke to on social media, with contact information for an individual he believed could facilitate the coconspirator's travel to Pakistan to join the LeT. Unbeknownst to Sewell and the coconspirator, the facilitator was an undercover FBI agent. Sewell and the coconspirator discussed what the coconspirator should say to the undercover agent who posed as the facilitator, in order to gain the facilitator's trust and be permitted to join the LeT. He also contacted the facilitator to vouch for the coconspirator's authenticity and told both of them that he would kill the co-conspirator if he turned out to be a spy. The co-conspirator then contacted the facilitator and made arrangements to travel to Pakistan. In February, Sewell was charged by the FBI with using social media to recruit people on behalf of the LeT and send them to Pakistan for terrorist training. The LeT is a UN and US-designated global terrorist organisation and has carried out several terrorist attacks inside India, including the Mumbai terrorist attacks in 2008 that took the lives of 166 people including several Americans.

US national pleads guilty to providing support to LeT

In a rare acknowledgement, China Monday described the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based LeT terror outfit as one of "the most notorious terrorist attacks".

In a white paper on its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-says-nearly-13000-terrorists-arrested-in-xinjiang-204016">massive crackdown against militants</a> in the restive Xinjiang province, China said the global spread of terrorism and extremism over the years had inflicted agony on humanity.

The paper described the Mumbai terror attacks as one of "the most notorious terrorist attacks", adding that the "global spread of terrorism and extremism over the years has inflicted agony on humanity".

The release of the paper titled "The Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang", interestingly coincided with Pakistan Foreign Minister's Shah Mehmood <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/regional-tensions-to-be-discussed-during-talks-with-pakistan-foreign-minister-qureshi-china-204052">Qureshi's visit to China</a>.

Throughout the world, terrorism and extremism gravely threaten peace and development, and endanger the life and property of individuals, said the white paper released by China's State Council Information Office.

The paper came days after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday to designate Pakistan-based chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal, a move India termed as disappointing.

The JeM has claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama attack that left more than 40 CRPF personnel dead and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan.

"Striking aggressively at terrorism and furthering the de-radicalisation effort is the common responsibility of the international community and essential to the protection of human rights," it said.

China opposes all forms of terrorism and extremism and opposes double standards on fighting terrorism, said the white paper, adding that Beijing opposes linking terrorism and extremism with specific countries, ethnic groups or religions.

China advocates comprehensive measures to address both the symptoms and the root causes, with the dual purposes of striking at terrorist activities and eliminating poverty, so that there will be no room for terrorism to breed, it said.

In one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the country's history, 166 people, including Americans, were killed and over 300 injured as 10 heavily-armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) created mayhem in Mumbai on November 26, 2008.

Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court.

Perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, including its mastermind and banned Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief, Hafiz Saeed, continue to roam freely in Pakistan.

The US has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

In a rare acknowledgement, China Monday described the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based LeT terror outfit as one of "the most notorious terrorist attacks".

In a rare acknowledgement, China Monday described the 2008 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based LeT terror outfit as one of "the most notorious terrorist attacks". In a white paper on its massive crackdown against militants in the restive Xinjiang province, China said the global spread of terrorism and extremism over the years had inflicted agony on humanity. The paper described the Mumbai terror attacks as one of "the most notorious terrorist attacks", adding that the "global spread of terrorism and extremism over the years has inflicted agony on humanity". The release of the paper titled "The Fight Against Terrorism and Extremism and Human Rights Protection in Xinjiang", interestingly coincided with Pakistan Foreign Minister's Shah Mehmood Qureshi's visit to China. Throughout the world, terrorism and extremism gravely threaten peace and development, and endanger the life and property of individuals, said the white paper released by China's State Council Information Office. The paper came days after China for the fourth time blocked a bid in the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday to designate Pakistan-based chief of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group Masood Azhar as a "global terrorist" by putting a technical hold on the proposal, a move India termed as disappointing. The JeM has claimed responsibility for the February 14 Pulwama attack that left more than 40 CRPF personnel dead and escalated tensions between India and Pakistan. "Striking aggressively at terrorism and furthering the de-radicalisation effort is the common responsibility of the international community and essential to the protection of human rights," it said. China opposes all forms of terrorism and extremism and opposes double standards on fighting terrorism, said the white paper, adding that Beijing opposes linking terrorism and extremism with specific countries, ethnic groups or religions. China advocates comprehensive measures to address both the symptoms and the root causes, with the dual purposes of striking at terrorist activities and eliminating poverty, so that there will be no room for terrorism to breed, it said. In one of the most horrific terrorist attacks in the country's history, 166 people, including Americans, were killed and over 300 injured as 10 heavily-armed terrorists from Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) created mayhem in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. Perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, including its mastermind and banned Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief, Hafiz Saeed, continue to roam freely in Pakistan. The US has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

China says 26/11 one of the 'most notorious' terrorist attacks

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-govt-sources-201780">UN rejects Hafiz Saeed's plea for removal from </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-govt-sources-201780">list</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/un-rejects-hafiz-saeeds-plea-for-removal-from-list-of-banned-terrorists-govt-sources-201780"> of banned terrorists</a>

In a significant development, the United Nations has rejected an appeal of Jammat--ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, to remove his name from its list of banned terrorists, government sources said on Thursday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jammu-police-arrest-suspect-in-bus-stand-grenade-attack-201771">Jammu and Kashmir: Police arrest suspect in bus stand grenade attack</a>

Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said the suspected perpetrator of the grenade blast at a bus stand has been arrested. DGP Dilbagh Singh shared the information with news agency ANI.

According to reports, the suspect hails from Kulgam; more details are awaited.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-did-he-disclose-about-pulwama-and-balakot-strikes-ravi-shankar-prasad-asks-rahul-gandhi-to-clarify-on-meeting-with-g20-envoys-201803">'What did he disclose on Pulwama, Balakot strikes?' BJP asks Rahul to clarify on meeting with G20 envoys</a>

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday stepped-up its attack on the opposition and asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to clarify on the meeting he had with the G20 envoys on Wednesday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/us-backed-force-in-syria-hopes-to-complete-evacuation-of-islamic-state-enclave-on-thursday-201764">US-backed force in Syria hopes to complete evacuation of Islamic State enclave today</a>

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hopes the evacuation of people wishing to leave Islamic State's last enclave in eastern Syria will be completed on Thursday, an SDF commander said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/iaf-says-in-high-state-of-preparedness-to-tackle-any-threat-to-countrys-security-201798">IAF says in 'high state of preparedness' to tackle any threat to national security</a>

The Indian Air Force on Thursday released a statement maintaining the force's "high state of preparedness" to tackle any threat posed to nation's security.&nbsp;

In the statement, the IAF noted that it is ready to "proactively engage any perceived threat in the present security scenario".&nbsp;

UN rejects Hafiz Saeed's plea for removal from list of banned terrorists In a significant development, the United Nations has rejected an appeal of Jammat--ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, to remove his name from its list of banned terrorists, government sources said on Thursday.

UN rejects Hafiz Saeed's plea for removal from list of banned terrorists In a significant development, the United Nations has rejected an appeal of Jammat--ud-Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the 2008 Mumbai terror attack mastermind, to remove his name from its list of banned terrorists, government sources said on Thursday. Jammu and Kashmir: Police arrest suspect in bus stand grenade attack Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said the suspected perpetrator of the grenade blast at a bus stand has been arrested. DGP Dilbagh Singh shared the information with news agency ANI. According to reports, the suspect hails from Kulgam; more details are awaited. 'What did he disclose on Pulwama, Balakot strikes?' BJP asks Rahul to clarify on meeting with G20 envoys The Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday stepped-up its attack on the opposition and asked Congress president Rahul Gandhi to clarify on the meeting he had with the G20 envoys on Wednesday. US-backed force in Syria hopes to complete evacuation of Islamic State enclave today The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) hopes the evacuation of people wishing to leave Islamic State's last enclave in eastern Syria will be completed on Thursday, an SDF commander said. IAF says in 'high state of preparedness' to tackle any threat to national security The Indian Air Force on Thursday released a statement maintaining the force's "high state of preparedness" to tackle any threat posed to nation's security. In the statement, the IAF noted that it is ready to "proactively engage any perceived threat in the present security scenario".

News brief: Big stories of the day

Pakistan on Thursday banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-chairs-nsc-meeting-again-asks-for-actionable-proof-on-pulwama-attack-sources-to-wion-198779"> Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-chairs-nsc-meeting-again-asks-for-actionable-proof-on-pulwama-attack-sources-to-wion-198779">ud</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pak-pm-imran-khan-chairs-nsc-meeting-again-asks-for-actionable-proof-on-pulwama-attack-sources-to-wion-198779">-Dawa</a> and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, amid intense global pressure to rein in the militant groups following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

A spokesman of the interior ministry said that the decision to ban these groups was taken during a meeting of the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-fires-at-posts-civilian-areas-along-loc-in-jk-for-third-day-indian-troops-retaliate-198774"> National Security Committee </a>(NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan at his office on Thursday.

"It was decided during the meeting to accelerate action against proscribed organisations," the spokesperson said in a statement.

"It was further decided that Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation be notified as proscribed organizations by the Ministry of Interior," he added.

Earlier, the two outfits were kept on the watchlist of the interior ministry.

According to officials, JuD's network includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance service. The two groups have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014.

The US Department of the Treasury has designated its chief Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice.

Saeed was listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. He was released from house arrest in Pakistan in November 2017.

The NSC meeting also reviewed the National Action Plan against terrorism in detail. Services chiefs and key ministers were in attendance.

"We need to move to ensure that militancy and extremism are rooted from the society and the State never becomes hostage to extremists," Khan said as he directed both the interior ministry and the security institutions to immediately accelerate actions on the ground.

Pakistan on Thursday banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, amid intense global pressure to rein in the militant groups following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers.

Pakistan on Thursday banned the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed-led Jamat-ud-Dawa and its charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, amid intense global pressure to rein in the militant groups following the Pulwama terror attack that killed 40 CRPF soldiers. A spokesman of the interior ministry said that the decision to ban these groups was taken during a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan at his office on Thursday. "It was decided during the meeting to accelerate action against proscribed organisations," the spokesperson said in a statement. "It was further decided that Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation be notified as proscribed organizations by the Ministry of Interior," he added. Earlier, the two outfits were kept on the watchlist of the interior ministry. According to officials, JuD's network includes 300 seminaries and schools, hospitals, a publishing house and ambulance service. The two groups have about 50,000 volunteers and hundreds of other paid workers. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the LeT which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack that killed 166 people. It has been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in June 2014. The US Department of the Treasury has designated its chief Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, and the US, since 2012, has offered a $10 million reward for information that brings Saeed to justice. Saeed was listed under UN Security Council Resolution 1267 in December 2008. He was released from house arrest in Pakistan in November 2017. The NSC meeting also reviewed the National Action Plan against terrorism in detail. Services chiefs and key ministers were in attendance. "We need to move to ensure that militancy and extremism are rooted from the society and the State never becomes hostage to extremists," Khan said as he directed both the interior ministry and the security institutions to immediately accelerate actions on the ground.

After NSC meeting, Pakistan bans Hafiz Saeed-led JuD & charity wing Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation

India will not 'forgive or forget' Hazif Saeed: Syed Akbaruddin

India's permanent representative at the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin here on Tuesday said that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed is somebody whom India will never forgive for his "imminent role" in the deadly terror attacks that took place in Mumbai on November 26, 2011.

Akbaruddin also added that only justice waits for the evil mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind.

"Hafiz Saeed is somebody India will never forgive or forget. What waits for him is justice. You can be certain, sometime or the other, justice will be met," Akbaruddin said in his statement.

"We will never forget his role as the evil mastermind of what happened in Mumbai," Akbaruddin added.

India has provided a number of dossiers of evidence, maintaining that the bilateral relations cannot improve until Pakistan punishes all those involved in the crime.

India has particularly been pushing for action against Saeed, who is roaming freely in Pakistan despite being declared an international terrorist.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government at the Centre has emphasised that terror and talks cannot go together.&nbsp;

India's permanent representative at the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin here on Tuesday said that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed is somebody whom India will never forgive for his "imminent role" in the deadly terror attacks that took place in Mumbai on November 26, 2011.

India's permanent representative at the United Nations Syed Akbaruddin here on Tuesday said that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed is somebody whom India will never forgive for his "imminent role" in the deadly terror attacks that took place in Mumbai on November 26, 2011. Akbaruddin also added that only justice waits for the evil mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind. "Hafiz Saeed is somebody India will never forgive or forget. What waits for him is justice. You can be certain, sometime or the other, justice will be met," Akbaruddin said in his statement. "We will never forget his role as the evil mastermind of what happened in Mumbai," Akbaruddin added. India has provided a number of dossiers of evidence, maintaining that the bilateral relations cannot improve until Pakistan punishes all those involved in the crime. India has particularly been pushing for action against Saeed, who is roaming freely in Pakistan despite being declared an international terrorist. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government at the Centre has emphasised that terror and talks cannot go together.

India will never forgive Hafiz Saeed for his role in 26/11 Mumbai attacks: Syed Akbaruddin

Ten years ago on this day, Mumbai came to a standstill after 10 heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists carried out coordinated attacks at six locations across the city.

The string of incidents, commonly referred to as 26/11 attacks, spanned across four days, during which 166 people were killed and over 300 injured. Recalling the dreadful night, a survivor of the ghastly attack, Mohamed Taufiq Sheikh, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure justice is served to the kin of the deceased.

He also appealed for action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who is known as the mastermind of the attack.

Sheikh, who is popularly known as Chhotu the Chaiwalla, told ANI: "The mastermind of that attack Hafiz Saeed is roaming free in Pakistan. No action has been taken against him. I want to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further tighten the security. I was told that I will be given a job, but nothing has been done about it as yet. There are going to be various events today, but all those are of no use, it will be better if some monetary help can be given to the kin of the deceased."

In Nariman House business and residential complex, one of the locations that was targeted by terrorists, a Rabbi, his wife, and six others, including five Israeli citizens, were killed after being held hostage.

The lone survivor of this attack was the two-year-old child of the Rabbi couple, Moshe, who later went on to become the face of innocent victims of ruthless terrorism.

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-calls-on-pakistan-others-to-implement-unsc-sanctions-against-2611-perpetrators-179439">US</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-calls-on-pakistan-others-to-implement-unsc-sanctions-against-2611-perpetrators-179439"> calls on Pakistan, others to implement UNSC sanctions against 26/11 perpetrators</a>

In July 2017, Prime Minister Modi had met Moshe during his visit to Israel. Later, in January 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also met the 26/11 survivor in Mumbai during his visit to India.

Addressing the media in Mumbai on Sunday, Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky said Nariman House has been revamped to bring back the positivity that the building stood for prior to the attacks.

"All the five floors shall be used for a specific purpose so that all the visitors who come to see the building could get a positive message about how light of positivity and hope triumphs over the negative darkness of terror and trauma. The fear of death which had mounted over all those shot dead and other hostages that night is something which only they could narrate. The world as not yet come to peace and terrorism via different means is still looming over all of us. The building should not be left with a simple bad memory but instead we should get over it and so for this cause we have decided to dedicate the upper floors of the building so that all those visitors who come to see the spot get inspired by virtues of humanity and they become harbinger of hope," he noted.

Elaborating further upon the structure and interiors of the building, he added: "The upper floors shall be used to show people how Jewish way of life. All the visitors shall see about the life of deceased Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his family before they were massacred. The entire theme is white on all household items and the prominent displays will be Holtzberg's son Moshe's room, kitchen, bedroom, living room, apartment, entrance, hallway library, and common room."

After the attack, it was established that the 10 terrorists had sailed to Mumbai from Pakistan's port city, Karachi. Their voyage to Mumbai involved hijacking fishing dingy and killing four of the five men crew, leaving one occupant to ferry them to Mumbai coast.

In these gruesome attacks, nine terrorists were killed while Ajmal Amir Kasab was nabbed by security forces and sent to Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. In August 2012, Kasab was awarded a death sentence, and hanged till death three months later.

The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) is believed to have plotted the 26/11 attacks. However, its mastermind, Hafiz Saeed, has been roaming freely in Pakistan.&nbsp;

Ten years ago on this day, Mumbai came to a standstill after 10 heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists carried out coordinated attacks at six locations across the city.

Ten years ago on this day, Mumbai came to a standstill after 10 heavily-armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists carried out coordinated attacks at six locations across the city. The string of incidents, commonly referred to as 26/11 attacks, spanned across four days, during which 166 people were killed and over 300 injured. Recalling the dreadful night, a survivor of the ghastly attack, Mohamed Taufiq Sheikh, appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure justice is served to the kin of the deceased. He also appealed for action against Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, who is known as the mastermind of the attack. Sheikh, who is popularly known as Chhotu the Chaiwalla, told ANI: "The mastermind of that attack Hafiz Saeed is roaming free in Pakistan. No action has been taken against him. I want to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to further tighten the security. I was told that I will be given a job, but nothing has been done about it as yet. There are going to be various events today, but all those are of no use, it will be better if some monetary help can be given to the kin of the deceased." In Nariman House business and residential complex, one of the locations that was targeted by terrorists, a Rabbi, his wife, and six others, including five Israeli citizens, were killed after being held hostage. The lone survivor of this attack was the two-year-old child of the Rabbi couple, Moshe, who later went on to become the face of innocent victims of ruthless terrorism. Also read: US calls on Pakistan, others to implement UNSC sanctions against 26/11 perpetrators In July 2017, Prime Minister Modi had met Moshe during his visit to Israel. Later, in January 2018, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also met the 26/11 survivor in Mumbai during his visit to India. Addressing the media in Mumbai on Sunday, Rabbi Israel Kozlovsky said Nariman House has been revamped to bring back the positivity that the building stood for prior to the attacks. "All the five floors shall be used for a specific purpose so that all the visitors who come to see the building could get a positive message about how light of positivity and hope triumphs over the negative darkness of terror and trauma. The fear of death which had mounted over all those shot dead and other hostages that night is something which only they could narrate. The world as not yet come to peace and terrorism via different means is still looming over all of us. The building should not be left with a simple bad memory but instead we should get over it and so for this cause we have decided to dedicate the upper floors of the building so that all those visitors who come to see the spot get inspired by virtues of humanity and they become harbinger of hope," he noted. Elaborating further upon the structure and interiors of the building, he added: "The upper floors shall be used to show people how Jewish way of life. All the visitors shall see about the life of deceased Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg and his family before they were massacred. The entire theme is white on all household items and the prominent displays will be Holtzberg's son Moshe's room, kitchen, bedroom, living room, apartment, entrance, hallway library, and common room." After the attack, it was established that the 10 terrorists had sailed to Mumbai from Pakistan's port city, Karachi. Their voyage to Mumbai involved hijacking fishing dingy and killing four of the five men crew, leaving one occupant to ferry them to Mumbai coast. In these gruesome attacks, nine terrorists were killed while Ajmal Amir Kasab was nabbed by security forces and sent to Yerwada Central Jail in Pune. In August 2012, Kasab was awarded a death sentence, and hanged till death three months later. The Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) is believed to have plotted the 26/11 attacks. However, its mastermind, Hafiz Saeed, has been roaming freely in Pakistan.

Appeal for action against 26/11 mastermind: Survivor recalls terror of Mumbai attacks

Remembering those who lost their lives in the deadly terror attacks that shook Mumbai on November 26, 2008, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that India remains "honour-bound" to defeating terrorism.

"Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts are with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism #PresidentKovind," he tweeted.

India's financial capital came to a standstill on this very day a decade ago when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who came to Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city.

Attacks took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Hotel and Tower, and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel over a span of four days, killing 166 people and injuring over 300.

As India remembers the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks on its tenth anniversary, various events will be organised across the nation, especially in Mumbai, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the ghastly attacks.

Remembering those who lost their lives in the deadly terror attacks that shook Mumbai on November 26, 2008, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that India remains "honour-bound" to defeating terrorism.

Remembering those who lost their lives in the deadly terror attacks that shook Mumbai on November 26, 2008, President Ram Nath Kovind on Monday said that India remains "honour-bound" to defeating terrorism. "Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts are with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism #PresidentKovind," he tweeted. India's financial capital came to a standstill on this very day a decade ago when 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who came to Mumbai via sea route from Pakistan carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city. Attacks took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Cama Hospital, Nariman House business and residential complex, Leopold Cafe, Taj Mahal Hotel and Tower, and the Oberoi-Trident Hotel over a span of four days, killing 166 people and injuring over 300. As India remembers the victims of the 26/11 terror attacks on its tenth anniversary, various events will be organised across the nation, especially in Mumbai, to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the ghastly attacks.

India remains honour-bound to defeating terrorism: President Kovind on 26/11

26/11: 'Bring Mumbai attack perpetrators to Justice', says US

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago.&nbsp;

"A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted.&nbsp;

"Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families," the tweet read.&nbsp;

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Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. 
 
Our solidarity with the bereaved families. 
 
A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1066890229158678528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered the "supreme sacrifice" of police and security personnel stating, "Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice and defeating terrorism," his tweet read.&nbsp;

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Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PresidentKovind?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PresidentKovind</a>
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) <a href="https://twitter.com/rashtrapatibhvn/status/1066866758902935552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Taj Hotels, in a statement, noted that on the 10th anniversary of the "darkest days," they choose to "celebrate the heroes."

"It was a day that united us. Today, we stand stronger, and shine brighter than ever before," Taj Hotels tweeted out.&nbsp;

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In Memoriam. 26.11.2008 <a href="https://t.co/szB7wxqp3V">pic.twitter.com/szB7wxqp3V</a>
— Taj Hotels (@TajHotels) <a href="https://twitter.com/TajHotels/status/1066897063462481921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Ten years ago on this day, 10 heavily-armed terrorists sailed into the city, carrying out <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-decade-of-mumbai-terror-attack-what-all-happened-during-attacks-and-in-years-to-follow-179407">a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city</a>.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/x51A0mI3b5Q" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The ghastly attacks lasted for four days killing 166 people and injuring over 300. After sailing to the city under the cover of darkness, the terrorists targeted major landmarks of Mumbai with first attack taking place at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago. "A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday took to Twitter remembering the ghastly terror attacks that rocked the city Mumbai a decade ago. "A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks," he tweeted. "Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families," the tweet read. Tributes to those who lost their lives in the gruesome 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. Our solidarity with the bereaved families. A grateful nation bows to our brave police and security forces who valiantly fought the terrorists during the Mumbai attacks. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 26, 2018 × President Ram Nath Kovind also remembered the "supreme sacrifice" of police and security personnel stating, "Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice and defeating terrorism," his tweet read. Ten years after the Mumbai terror attacks, thoughts with families and individuals who suffered. We salute those from the police and security forces who made the supreme sacrifice that day. India remains honour-bound to securing justice, and defeating terrorism #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 26, 2018 × Taj Hotels, in a statement, noted that on the 10th anniversary of the "darkest days," they choose to "celebrate the heroes." "It was a day that united us. Today, we stand stronger, and shine brighter than ever before," Taj Hotels tweeted out. In Memoriam. 26.11.2008 pic.twitter.com/szB7wxqp3V — Taj Hotels (@TajHotels) November 26, 2018 × Ten years ago on this day, 10 heavily-armed terrorists sailed into the city, carrying out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks across the city. The ghastly attacks lasted for four days killing 166 people and injuring over 300. After sailing to the city under the cover of darkness, the terrorists targeted major landmarks of Mumbai with first attack taking place at the crowded Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station.

'Nation bows to those who valiantly fought': PM Modi, President Kovind pay tribute to 26/11 victims

Asking Islamabad to act on Lashkar e-Taiba, the United States on the 10th anniversary of 26/11 terror attacks has <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/2611-attacks-us-announces-5-million-reward-for-information-on-perpetrators-179416">announced a reward of up to $5 million</a> for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, aided or abetted in the execution of the 2008 Mumbai attack.

US announced the reward under its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program.

10 years ago, on 26th November in 2008, Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar e-Taiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated terror attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai. The attack resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans.

In a release by the state department, US said it is "committed to working with our international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attack."

Anyone with information can contact the Rewards for Justice office via the website, e-mail (info@rewardsforjustice.net), call on (800-877-3927 in North America), or mail (Rewards for Justice, Washington, D.C., 20520-0303, USA). Individuals can also contact the Regional Security Officer at the nearest US&nbsp;embassy or consulate.

All information under the reward is kept confidential. The Rewards for Justice program is administered by the US&nbsp;Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $150 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.

Meanwhile, remembering the 26/11 attacks and expressing solidarity with India, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in a statement on Monday said, "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and all Americans, I express my solidarity with the people of India and the city of Mumbai on the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attack. We stand with the families and friends of the victims, whose loved ones were lost in this act of barbarism, including six American citizens. The barbarity of 26/11 shocked the entire world."

US has been asking Pakistan to do more to rein in terror groups. Pompeo nudged Islamabad to do more and said, "We call upon all countries, particularly Pakistan, to uphold their UN Security Council obligations to implement sanctions against the terrorists responsible for this atrocity, including Lashkar e-Taiba and its affiliates."

Washington's announcement marks the third RFJ reward offer seeking information on the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack.

In April 2012, the Department of State announced reward offers for information that brings to justice LeT founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, another senior LeT leader. For the last 10 years, US has been putting pressure on Pakistan.

In May 2005, the United Nations (UN) 1267 Sanctions Committee added LeT to the Consolidated UN Security Council Sanctions List.

The development comes days after PM Modi met US vice president Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore and an expected meet between PM Modi and US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina.

Earlier last week, US President Donald Trump also lashed out at Pakistan for providing 'safe haven'&nbsp;to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. He justified the aid cut to the country saying they do not do anything.

On Saturday, in a response to WION's questions, Pentagon spokesperson &nbsp;Lieutenant Colonel Koné Faulkner said, "We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LET."

&nbsp;

Asking Islamabad to act on Lashkar e-Taiba, the United States on the 10th anniversary of 26/11 terror attacks has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, aided or abetted in the execution of the 2008 Mumbai attack.

Asking Islamabad to act on Lashkar e-Taiba, the United States on the 10th anniversary of 26/11 terror attacks has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individual who committed, conspired to commit, aided or abetted in the execution of the 2008 Mumbai attack. US announced the reward under its Rewards for Justice (RFJ) Program. 10 years ago, on 26th November in 2008, Pakistan-based terrorist organisation Lashkar e-Taiba (LeT) carried out a series of coordinated terror attacks against multiple targets in Mumbai. The attack resulted in the deaths of 166 people, including six Americans. In a release by the state department, US said it is "committed to working with our international partners to identify and bring to justice those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai attack." Anyone with information can contact the Rewards for Justice office via the website, e-mail (info@rewardsforjustice.net), call on (800-877-3927 in North America), or mail (Rewards for Justice, Washington, D.C., 20520-0303, USA). Individuals can also contact the Regional Security Officer at the nearest US embassy or consulate. All information under the reward is kept confidential. The Rewards for Justice program is administered by the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid in excess of $150 million to more than 100 people who provided actionable information that helped bring terrorists to justice or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide. Meanwhile, remembering the 26/11 attacks and expressing solidarity with India, US secretary of state Mike Pompeo in a statement on Monday said, "On behalf of the Government of the United States of America and all Americans, I express my solidarity with the people of India and the city of Mumbai on the 10th anniversary of the Mumbai terrorist attack. We stand with the families and friends of the victims, whose loved ones were lost in this act of barbarism, including six American citizens. The barbarity of 26/11 shocked the entire world." US has been asking Pakistan to do more to rein in terror groups. Pompeo nudged Islamabad to do more and said, "We call upon all countries, particularly Pakistan, to uphold their UN Security Council obligations to implement sanctions against the terrorists responsible for this atrocity, including Lashkar e-Taiba and its affiliates." Washington's announcement marks the third RFJ reward offer seeking information on the perpetrators of the Mumbai attack. In April 2012, the Department of State announced reward offers for information that brings to justice LeT founder Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Hafiz Abdul Rahman Makki, another senior LeT leader. For the last 10 years, US has been putting pressure on Pakistan. In May 2005, the United Nations (UN) 1267 Sanctions Committee added LeT to the Consolidated UN Security Council Sanctions List. The development comes days after PM Modi met US vice president Mike Pence on the sidelines of 13th East Asia Summit in Singapore and an expected meet between PM Modi and US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of G20 in Argentina. Earlier last week, US President Donald Trump also lashed out at Pakistan for providing 'safe haven' to 9/11 mastermind Osama Bin Laden. He justified the aid cut to the country saying they do not do anything. On Saturday, in a response to WION's questions, Pentagon spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Koné Faulkner said, "We continue to press Pakistan to indiscriminately target all terrorist groups, including the Haqqani Network and LET."

26/11 attacks: US announces $5 million reward for info on perpetrators

The deadly 2008 terror attack in Mumbai was a result of "misinterpretation of religion", feels a relative of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, who was killed while fighting terrorists that day.

The slain police inspector's family members still feel his loss and not a day goes by when they don't remember him, Salaskar's niece Mansi said Sunday.

Salaskar, then Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, and IPS officer Ashok Kamte were killed outside the Cama Hospital in south Mumbai after terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his partner Ismail opened fire at their police van during the terror attack on November 26, 2008.

Remembering her uncle ten years after the incident, Mansi said, "I strongly believe religion is being misinterpreted and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was the result of it. What my family and I witnessed very closely is terrorism in the name of religion and faith."

She was speaking at an interfaith dialogue, organised by the Jewish community in India and Rotary Club of Bombay Queen City Foundation, on the eve of 10th anniversary of the attack.

Describing Salaskar as a pillar of unconditional strength and love for the close-knit family, she said, "My uncle attained martyrdom in the terror attack... I don't know how to describe the agony and anger we have lived with over the years."

"The plight of 26/11 has left a void in our lives. Ten years later also we feel the loss and pain. He is present in our everyday conversation... Not a day goes by when we don't miss him," she added.

Nearly 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in 2008.

Nine of the attackers were killed by the police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after he was awarded death sentence by a court.&nbsp;

The deadly 2008 terror attack in Mumbai was a result of "misinterpretation of religion", feels a relative of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, who was killed while fighting terrorists that day.

The deadly 2008 terror attack in Mumbai was a result of "misinterpretation of religion", feels a relative of encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar, who was killed while fighting terrorists that day. The slain police inspector's family members still feel his loss and not a day goes by when they don't remember him, Salaskar's niece Mansi said Sunday. Salaskar, then Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, and IPS officer Ashok Kamte were killed outside the Cama Hospital in south Mumbai after terrorist Ajmal Kasab and his partner Ismail opened fire at their police van during the terror attack on November 26, 2008. Remembering her uncle ten years after the incident, Mansi said, "I strongly believe religion is being misinterpreted and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack was the result of it. What my family and I witnessed very closely is terrorism in the name of religion and faith." She was speaking at an interfaith dialogue, organised by the Jewish community in India and Rotary Club of Bombay Queen City Foundation, on the eve of 10th anniversary of the attack. Describing Salaskar as a pillar of unconditional strength and love for the close-knit family, she said, "My uncle attained martyrdom in the terror attack... I don't know how to describe the agony and anger we have lived with over the years." "The plight of 26/11 has left a void in our lives. Ten years later also we feel the loss and pain. He is present in our everyday conversation... Not a day goes by when we don't miss him," she added. Nearly 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by the police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after he was awarded death sentence by a court.

26/11 terror attacks: Religion being misinterpreted, says kin of slain cop

For the select policemen involved in the covert operation to shift 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab from Mumbai to Pune, the phrase "Parcel reached Fox" signalled that the van carrying him had reached the jail where he was to be hanged the next day.

A senior police official involved in carrying out the operation said this was one of the seven code words/phrases used during the exercise, of which only the then home minister R R Patil and a few top police officials were aware of.

The code "Parcel reached Fox" was the last code exchanged between two senior officials involved in the operation to transport Kasab, he told PTI.

The hand-picked team was tasked with shifting Kasab from the high security 'Anda Cell' of Arthur Road prison in Central Mumbai to Yerwada Central Prison in Pune, he said.

The lone terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks was covered in a 'burqa' while being taken out of his cell on the night of November 20, 2012, and put in a police vehicle, the officer recalled.

"It was a big responsibility to transport him to Yerwada prison to be hanged. A death warrant was served to him seven days before the execution," he said.

The 'Force One' commando team of police, carrying advanced weapons, accompanied Kasab's vehicle. A State Reserve Police Force team trailing the vehicle a little behind, so as not to arouse suspicions, when it was on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Except for two handsets, mobile phones of all officers and other police personnel involved in the operation were switched off and packed in a bag, the official said.

"During the entire three-hour-long journey, Kasab did not utter a single word," he said. His demeanour did not change even when he was handed over to the Yerwada prison authorities at around 3 am, the official said.

By the time their mobile phones were switched on again the next day, November 21, the world knew that Kasab was executed, he said.

For the select policemen involved in the covert operation to shift 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab from Mumbai to Pune, the phrase "Parcel reached Fox" signalled that the van carrying him had reached the jail where he was to be hanged the next day.

For the select policemen involved in the covert operation to shift 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab from Mumbai to Pune, the phrase "Parcel reached Fox" signalled that the van carrying him had reached the jail where he was to be hanged the next day. A senior police official involved in carrying out the operation said this was one of the seven code words/phrases used during the exercise, of which only the then home minister R R Patil and a few top police officials were aware of. The code "Parcel reached Fox" was the last code exchanged between two senior officials involved in the operation to transport Kasab, he told PTI. The hand-picked team was tasked with shifting Kasab from the high security 'Anda Cell' of Arthur Road prison in Central Mumbai to Yerwada Central Prison in Pune, he said. The lone terrorist captured alive during the 26/11 attacks was covered in a 'burqa' while being taken out of his cell on the night of November 20, 2012, and put in a police vehicle, the officer recalled. "It was a big responsibility to transport him to Yerwada prison to be hanged. A death warrant was served to him seven days before the execution," he said. The 'Force One' commando team of police, carrying advanced weapons, accompanied Kasab's vehicle. A State Reserve Police Force team trailing the vehicle a little behind, so as not to arouse suspicions, when it was on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. Except for two handsets, mobile phones of all officers and other police personnel involved in the operation were switched off and packed in a bag, the official said. "During the entire three-hour-long journey, Kasab did not utter a single word," he said. His demeanour did not change even when he was handed over to the Yerwada prison authorities at around 3 am, the official said. By the time their mobile phones were switched on again the next day, November 21, the world knew that Kasab was executed, he said.

2008 Mumbai terror attacks: How the secret operation to shift Kasab for hanging unfolded

Another major terrorist attack in India of the magnitude similar to the 26/11 strike originating from Pakistan could easily escalate into a regional war, scholars, former diplomats and US officials have warned ahead of the 10th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai terror attack.

Some 166 people, including Americans, were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court.

Perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, including its mastermind and banned Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, continue to roam freely in Pakistan, indicating that Islamabad is not serious in bringing them to justice. The JuD is believed to be the front group for the LeT. The US has offered a $10 million bounty for Saeed.

The 26/11 attack case has entered into the 10th year but none of its seven suspects in Pakistan has been punished yet, showing that the case had never been in its priority list.

"The victims of 26/11 have yet to see the masterminds of the attack in the LeT and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) face justice; unfortunately, that is virtually impossible in Pakistan," former Central Intelligence Agency official Bruce Riedel told PTI.

Riedel, senior fellow and director of Brookings Intelligence Project, believes that another terror attack in India of similar magnitude would result in a war between the two countries.

"If another attack of this magnitude occurs, there will be war," he said. 
Pakistan's former envoy to the US Husain Haqqani said: "With US-Pakistan relations in a tailspin and hawkish attitudes dominating the subcontinent, one cannot predict if and how the situation would be controlled in the event of another major terrorist attack in India, with clear linkages to groups in Pakistan".

Currently a senior fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute, Haqqani said Pakistan "must fulfil its promise of acting" against the masterminds of the 26/11 attack.

"That it has chosen to let them operate freely raises the justifiable concern that Pakistan's deep state does not want to deter or punish terrorists responsible for attacks in India.

"In 2008, Pakistan's promise of acting against the LeT and those involved in the Mumbai attack prevented escalation of India-Pakistan hostilities. The US also helped calm things down by sharing intelligence with both Pakistan and India," he said.

Agreed a senior Bush administration official, who was inside the White House at the time of the attack.

"That (India-Pakistan war) was a primary concern and a primary scenario that we wanted to avoid," Anish Goel, who was director of South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House at the time of the 26/11 attack, told PTI.

Noting that there was a lot of pressure on then prime minister Manmohan Singh "to react kinetically", Goel said then president George Bush and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice had to make a lot of efforts including several phone calls to New Delhi, Islamabad and leaders of several US allies to prevent such a scenario.

Bush was very concerned, and got on phone with Singh immediately, offering condolences and urging restraint, he said. Rice travelled to the region trying to cool things.

"There's a lot of public pressure. I think prime minister Singh himself was showing a lot of restraint and was not inclined to do a counter attack right away, but there was a lot of political pressure on him to do so," said Goel.

"The US, I believe -- I don't know for sure, you have to ask the Indian government to know -- having counseling or urging him to show restraint, gave him some sort of political leeway and maneuverability to resist the domestic political pressures from those calling for a quick counterstrike on Pakistan," he said, adding that at no point there was any evidence of military mobilisation.

"There was a sense of nervousness in the then Bush administration about a possible nuclear war in South Asia. The Mumbai terror attack started a day before Thanksgiving a national holiday in the US and did not end till Sunday, the last day of the long weekend. Bush not only held situation room meeting on Saturday, but also mobilised his entire administration to try and prevent escalation of the tension," Goel added.

A senior former Obama administration official said if another attack would have happened like that, it would "quickly escalates into a regional war".

The current government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already "taken a tough line" against Islamabad including a surgical strike, the official said on anonymity.

"I could certainly foresee a situation where he (prime minister Modi) escalates those quite a bit in response to the terrorist attack. Then for the US government, I just don't know if the Trump administration would counsel restraint the way the Bush administration did," he said.

The Trump administration might say they (Indians) are justified, he said. 
"Not only are we not going to stop you, but we're going to help you. I don't know that they would do, but I don't know if they would carry the same message of constraints.

"So, when you're talking about what could happen in the region, if there was another Mumbai attack after the Pakistanis have promised there's no terrorists operating in our country and we're going after all of them, I could see a scenario which quickly escalates into a regional war," he added.&nbsp;

Another major terrorist attack in India of the magnitude similar to the 26/11 strike originating from Pakistan could easily escalate into a regional war, scholars, former diplomats and US officials have warned ahead of the 10th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai terror attack.

Another major terrorist attack in India of the magnitude similar to the 26/11 strike originating from Pakistan could easily escalate into a regional war, scholars, former diplomats and US officials have warned ahead of the 10th anniversary of the deadly Mumbai terror attack. Some 166 people, including Americans, were killed in the attack carried out by Pakistan-based 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was captured and hanged after handed down death sentence by an Indian court. Perpetrators of the 26/11 attack, including its mastermind and banned Jamat-ud Dawa (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, continue to roam freely in Pakistan, indicating that Islamabad is not serious in bringing them to justice. The JuD is believed to be the front group for the LeT. The US has offered a $10 million bounty for Saeed. The 26/11 attack case has entered into the 10th year but none of its seven suspects in Pakistan has been punished yet, showing that the case had never been in its priority list. "The victims of 26/11 have yet to see the masterminds of the attack in the LeT and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) face justice; unfortunately, that is virtually impossible in Pakistan," former Central Intelligence Agency official Bruce Riedel told PTI. Riedel, senior fellow and director of Brookings Intelligence Project, believes that another terror attack in India of similar magnitude would result in a war between the two countries. "If another attack of this magnitude occurs, there will be war," he said. Pakistan's former envoy to the US Husain Haqqani said: "With US-Pakistan relations in a tailspin and hawkish attitudes dominating the subcontinent, one cannot predict if and how the situation would be controlled in the event of another major terrorist attack in India, with clear linkages to groups in Pakistan". Currently a senior fellow and Director for South and Central Asia at the Hudson Institute, Haqqani said Pakistan "must fulfil its promise of acting" against the masterminds of the 26/11 attack. "That it has chosen to let them operate freely raises the justifiable concern that Pakistan's deep state does not want to deter or punish terrorists responsible for attacks in India. "In 2008, Pakistan's promise of acting against the LeT and those involved in the Mumbai attack prevented escalation of India-Pakistan hostilities. The US also helped calm things down by sharing intelligence with both Pakistan and India," he said. Agreed a senior Bush administration official, who was inside the White House at the time of the attack. "That (India-Pakistan war) was a primary concern and a primary scenario that we wanted to avoid," Anish Goel, who was director of South Asia in the National Security Council of the White House at the time of the 26/11 attack, told PTI. Noting that there was a lot of pressure on then prime minister Manmohan Singh "to react kinetically", Goel said then president George Bush and secretary of state Condoleezza Rice had to make a lot of efforts including several phone calls to New Delhi, Islamabad and leaders of several US allies to prevent such a scenario. Bush was very concerned, and got on phone with Singh immediately, offering condolences and urging restraint, he said. Rice travelled to the region trying to cool things. "There's a lot of public pressure. I think prime minister Singh himself was showing a lot of restraint and was not inclined to do a counter attack right away, but there was a lot of political pressure on him to do so," said Goel. "The US, I believe -- I don't know for sure, you have to ask the Indian government to know -- having counseling or urging him to show restraint, gave him some sort of political leeway and maneuverability to resist the domestic political pressures from those calling for a quick counterstrike on Pakistan," he said, adding that at no point there was any evidence of military mobilisation. "There was a sense of nervousness in the then Bush administration about a possible nuclear war in South Asia. The Mumbai terror attack started a day before Thanksgiving a national holiday in the US and did not end till Sunday, the last day of the long weekend. Bush not only held situation room meeting on Saturday, but also mobilised his entire administration to try and prevent escalation of the tension," Goel added. A senior former Obama administration official said if another attack would have happened like that, it would "quickly escalates into a regional war". The current government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already "taken a tough line" against Islamabad including a surgical strike, the official said on anonymity. "I could certainly foresee a situation where he (prime minister Modi) escalates those quite a bit in response to the terrorist attack. Then for the US government, I just don't know if the Trump administration would counsel restraint the way the Bush administration did," he said. The Trump administration might say they (Indians) are justified, he said. "Not only are we not going to stop you, but we're going to help you. I don't know that they would do, but I don't know if they would carry the same message of constraints. "So, when you're talking about what could happen in the region, if there was another Mumbai attack after the Pakistanis have promised there's no terrorists operating in our country and we're going after all of them, I could see a scenario which quickly escalates into a regional war," he added.

Another terror attack in India similar to 26/11 with footprints in Pak will lead to war: Experts

The staccato bursts of gunfire, smoke plumes billowing out of the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, bullet-riddled bodies at local hospitals and cries of the victims' kin still flash through Vijay Vaidyas mind.

Ten years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left over 300 injured, the 78-year-old senior journalist recalls the stories of valour by security personnel and the resilience shown by Mumbaikars.

Ten terrorists, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, went about firing indiscriminately, carrying out bomb explosions and holding innocents hostage as a fightback by security forces continued for the next 60 hours.

Vaidya, who lives in north Mumbai suburb Borivali, said he was at his home when he learnt about the terror attack. He rang up then Opposition leader in State Assembly and present Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam and together they headed t south Mumbai from Kadams Kandivli residence.

Vaidya said they saw a taxi damaged in a blast in Vile Parle. They headed towards the GT Hospital in south Mumbai, where bodies of policemen killed in the attack were kept.

The duo was joined by BJP leader and now Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde and proceeded towards the Gateway of India, near the Taj hotel.

"All the street lights there were off. The Taj was engulfed by fire. Police had cordoned off the area. The injured in the hotel attack were being taken to Byculla-based JJ Hospital," Vaidya recalled.

From the Gateway, the trio moved towards Nariman House in Colaba, where terrorists were suspected to have holed up.

The scene at the JJ Hospital was heart-wrenching with bodies of victims lying there and their kin mourning the dead, he said. Many people had queued up at the hospital to donate blood to victims, he added.

Vaidya said it was a noisy scene at their next stop, the Oberoi Hotel at the Nariman Point which was also a scene of the terror attack. The hotel premises were cordoned off for security purposes, he said.

The journalist, who also recalled the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, said 26/11 helped change the public perception about Mumbai police. "People started looking at cops as heroes for the way they battled the trained terrorists," he said.

The staccato bursts of gunfire, smoke plumes billowing out of the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, bullet-riddled bodies at local hospitals and cries of the victims' kin still flash through Vijay Vaidyas mind.

The staccato bursts of gunfire, smoke plumes billowing out of the iconic Taj Mahal hotel, bullet-riddled bodies at local hospitals and cries of the victims' kin still flash through Vijay Vaidyas mind. Ten years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left over 300 injured, the 78-year-old senior journalist recalls the stories of valour by security personnel and the resilience shown by Mumbaikars. Ten terrorists, armed with automatic weapons and grenades, went about firing indiscriminately, carrying out bomb explosions and holding innocents hostage as a fightback by security forces continued for the next 60 hours. Vaidya, who lives in north Mumbai suburb Borivali, said he was at his home when he learnt about the terror attack. He rang up then Opposition leader in State Assembly and present Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam and together they headed t south Mumbai from Kadams Kandivli residence. Vaidya said they saw a taxi damaged in a blast in Vile Parle. They headed towards the GT Hospital in south Mumbai, where bodies of policemen killed in the attack were kept. The duo was joined by BJP leader and now Maharashtra Education Minister Vinod Tawde and proceeded towards the Gateway of India, near the Taj hotel. "All the street lights there were off. The Taj was engulfed by fire. Police had cordoned off the area. The injured in the hotel attack were being taken to Byculla-based JJ Hospital," Vaidya recalled. From the Gateway, the trio moved towards Nariman House in Colaba, where terrorists were suspected to have holed up. The scene at the JJ Hospital was heart-wrenching with bodies of victims lying there and their kin mourning the dead, he said. Many people had queued up at the hospital to donate blood to victims, he added. Vaidya said it was a noisy scene at their next stop, the Oberoi Hotel at the Nariman Point which was also a scene of the terror attack. The hotel premises were cordoned off for security purposes, he said. The journalist, who also recalled the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts, said 26/11 helped change the public perception about Mumbai police. "People started looking at cops as heroes for the way they battled the trained terrorists," he said.

Senior journalist still haunted by 26/11 sounds and images

In pictures: 10 years of 26/11, how 2008 Mumbai terror attacks happened

The Pakistan Army will hold a high-level meeting tomorrow to discuss the "recent misleading media statement" about Mumbai terror attack, officials said today, a day after ousted premier Nawaz Sharif questioned the policy to allow "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai.

Sharif, for the first time, publicly acknowledged in an interview that militant organisations are active in Pakistan and questioned the policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai.

Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was suggested to call a meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC), a platform of top civil and military leadership to discuss key national issues.

"The NSC meeting suggested to Prime Minister to discuss recent misleading media statement regarding Bombay incident. Being held tomorrow morning," said Ghafoor.

In an an exclusive interview with Dawn on Friday, Sharif also criticised the apparent delay in the conclusion of the Mumbai attack trial.

Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself.

He is under attack from opponents as well as some of the estranged leaders from his Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) party for allegedly supporting the Indian narrative on the Mumbai attack case and harming national interests.

Leading opposition leader and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said that Sharif was speaking the language of (Indian Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and cooperating against enemies of Pakistan to harm the country.

"Nawaz Sharif is the modern-day Mir Jafar who collaborated with the British to enslave his nation for personal gains. Nawaz speaking Modi's language against Pak State simply to protect his ill-gotten Rs 300 billion stashed in his sons' companies abroad," he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz Sharif said that media misrepresented views of the former prime minister.

"Can anybody think that Nawaz Sharif will say such things," he said.

But already Sharif's interview has been created a huge controversy in Pakistan.

Dunya TV reported that a local has approached the police in Chakwal district to register a criminal case against him for endangering security of the country.&nbsp

Sharif, for the first time, publicly acknowledged in an interview that militant organisations are active in Pakistan and questioned the policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai.

The Pakistan Army will hold a high-level meeting tomorrow to discuss the "recent misleading media statement" about Mumbai terror attack, officials said today, a day after ousted premier Nawaz Sharif questioned the policy to allow "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai. Sharif, for the first time, publicly acknowledged in an interview that militant organisations are active in Pakistan and questioned the policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai. Army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said on Twitter that Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi was suggested to call a meeting of the high-powered National Security Committee (NSC), a platform of top civil and military leadership to discuss key national issues. "The NSC meeting suggested to Prime Minister to discuss recent misleading media statement regarding Bombay incident. Being held tomorrow morning," said Ghafoor. In an an exclusive interview with Dawn on Friday, Sharif also criticised the apparent delay in the conclusion of the Mumbai attack trial. Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself. He is under attack from opponents as well as some of the estranged leaders from his Pakistan Muslims League-Nawaz (PML-N) party for allegedly supporting the Indian narrative on the Mumbai attack case and harming national interests. Leading opposition leader and cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan said that Sharif was speaking the language of (Indian Prime Minister) Narendra Modi and cooperating against enemies of Pakistan to harm the country. "Nawaz Sharif is the modern-day Mir Jafar who collaborated with the British to enslave his nation for personal gains. Nawaz speaking Modi's language against Pak State simply to protect his ill-gotten Rs 300 billion stashed in his sons' companies abroad," he said on Twitter. Meanwhile, Sharif's younger brother Shahbaz Sharif said that media misrepresented views of the former prime minister. "Can anybody think that Nawaz Sharif will say such things," he said. But already Sharif's interview has been created a huge controversy in Pakistan. Dunya TV reported that a local has approached the police in Chakwal district to register a criminal case against him for endangering security of the country.

Pakistan Army calls high-level meet to discuss Sharif's statement on Mumbai terror attack

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday dubbed as a serious disclosure Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif publicly acknowledging that militant organisations were active in his country and said it proved India's position that the handlers of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack were in Pakistan.

For the first time, Sharif also questioned <a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/imran-khan-slams-nawaz-sharif-says-he-speaks-pm-narendra-modis-language-136534">Pakistan's policy</a> to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai, according to a media report.

Also read: <a href="http://cmsuat.wionews.com/south-asia/nawaz-sharif-admits-pak-militant-groups-role-in-mumbai-terror-attacks--136372">Nawaz Sharif admits Pakistan militant group's role in Mumbai terror attacks</a>

Well, it is very serious disclosure. India's position has been that the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack operated from Pakistan. We strongly believe that the handlers of the attack were in Pakistan," news agency PTI reported quoting Sitharaman.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"It (Sharif's remarks) only proves that India's stand has been right all the way, she said in a press conference in Delhi.&nbsp;

Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by his country's Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself.

"We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan's narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it, Sharif had told Dawn.&nbsp;

Without naming Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar's militant organisations -- Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammad, -- operating in the country with impunity, Sharif said, Militant organisations are active in Pakistan."

To a question on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's call for a unilateral ceasefire in the state during the month of Ramzan till completion of the Amarnath Yatra, Sitharaman said, I think it is important to handle J&K affairs with a great deal of sensitivity.&nbsp;

"The Indian Army will have to make sure that India is a safe country. It has to handle firmly any terrorism which threatens peace and harmony of J&K and the rest of India.

To a query on Karnataka exit polls, she said the BJP will form the government in the state as the Congress will face defeat.

On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comment that he was ready to make way for a Dalit to take his place in the government if the Congress leadership wished so, Sitharaman said I never heard this during the campaigning.

Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by his country's Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday dubbed as a serious disclosure Pakistan's ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif publicly acknowledging that militant organisations were active in his country and said it proved India's position that the handlers of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack were in Pakistan. For the first time, Sharif also questioned Pakistan's policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in Mumbai, according to a media report. Also read: Nawaz Sharif admits Pakistan militant group's role in Mumbai terror attacks Well, it is very serious disclosure. India's position has been that the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attack operated from Pakistan. We strongly believe that the handlers of the attack were in Pakistan," news agency PTI reported quoting Sitharaman. "It (Sharif's remarks) only proves that India's stand has been right all the way, she said in a press conference in Delhi. Sharif, who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by his country's Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, said Pakistan has isolated itself. "We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan's narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it, Sharif had told Dawn. Without naming Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar's militant organisations -- Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammad, -- operating in the country with impunity, Sharif said, Militant organisations are active in Pakistan." To a question on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's call for a unilateral ceasefire in the state during the month of Ramzan till completion of the Amarnath Yatra, Sitharaman said, I think it is important to handle J&K affairs with a great deal of sensitivity. "The Indian Army will have to make sure that India is a safe country. It has to handle firmly any terrorism which threatens peace and harmony of J&K and the rest of India. To a query on Karnataka exit polls, she said the BJP will form the government in the state as the Congress will face defeat. On Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's comment that he was ready to make way for a Dalit to take his place in the government if the Congress leadership wished so, Sitharaman said I never heard this during the campaigning.

Sharif's remarks prove India's stand: Nirmala Sitharaman

Pakistan's former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said the "uncooperative attitude" and "stubbornness" of the Indian government has been the biggest obstacle in the Mumbai terror attacks trial reaching a conclusion, news agency PTI reported quoting a media report.&nbsp

Nisar's comments came in the wake of a statement by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif who questioned Pakistan's policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

In an interview with the Dawn, Sharif who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, criticised the delay in the conclusion of the Mumbai attacks trial.

Without naming Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar's militant organisations, Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammad, Sharif said: Militant organisations are active in Pakistan. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill over 150 people in Mumbai.&nbspExplain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial."

Reacting to Sharif's remarks, Nisar, under whose watch the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was investigating the Mumbai attacks, said the Indian government was to blame for the hold-up in the Mumbai attacks trial, PTI reported quoting Pakistan newspaper Dawn.

"I say with full responsibility that the delay and slow pace of the Mumbai attacks-related case in Pakistan was not Pakistan's doing but was a result of non-cooperation and stubbornness by India," said the disgruntled PML-N member.

He said since the attack took place in the Indian financial capital, it was the Indian government which possessed "90 per cent of the evidence and facts" of the incident.

"Despite repeated efforts, India refused to share those facts and evidence with FIA and the investigative committee formed by Pakistani courts," he claimed.

He said, "There was no bigger evidence of the Indian government's lack of interest in taking the case to its end than its refusal to allow FIA to question the only living proof of the attacks: Ajmal Kasab."

"Kasab was hanged in such haste so that the Mumbai attacks could be used as a tool for Pakistan bashing across the world on political basis," he said.

He claimed that although Pakistan had cooperated with the Indian government for information-sharing regarding every terrorist incident, India had not reciprocated for incidents taking place inside Pakistan.

The Mumbai attack case has entered into the 10th year but none of its suspects in Pakistan has been punished yet, showing that the case had never been in the priority list of Islamabad that appears to be keen to put it under the carpet.

A number of Pakistani witnesses both official and private testified and provided evidence against the seven accused, but the Pakistani authorities have been insisting on sending Indian witnesses for reaching a verdict in the case.

Some 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Kasab was caught and hanged after handed down death sentence.&nbsp

(With inputs from PTI) 
&nbsp

Nisar's comments came in the wake of a statement by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif who questioned Pakistan's policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Pakistan's former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Sunday said the "uncooperative attitude" and "stubbornness" of the Indian government has been the biggest obstacle in the Mumbai terror attacks trial reaching a conclusion, news agency PTI reported quoting a media report. Nisar's comments came in the wake of a statement by ousted prime minister Nawaz Sharif who questioned Pakistan's policy to allow the "non-state actors" to cross the border and "kill" people in 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. In an interview with the Dawn, Sharif who has been disqualified to hold public office for life by the Supreme Court in the Panama Papers case, criticised the delay in the conclusion of the Mumbai attacks trial. Without naming Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar's militant organisations, Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Jaish-e-Mohammad, Sharif said: Militant organisations are active in Pakistan. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill over 150 people in Mumbai.&nbspExplain it to me. Why can't we complete the trial." Reacting to Sharif's remarks, Nisar, under whose watch the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was investigating the Mumbai attacks, said the Indian government was to blame for the hold-up in the Mumbai attacks trial, PTI reported quoting Pakistan newspaper Dawn. "I say with full responsibility that the delay and slow pace of the Mumbai attacks-related case in Pakistan was not Pakistan's doing but was a result of non-cooperation and stubbornness by India," said the disgruntled PML-N member. He said since the attack took place in the Indian financial capital, it was the Indian government which possessed "90 per cent of the evidence and facts" of the incident. "Despite repeated efforts, India refused to share those facts and evidence with FIA and the investigative committee formed by Pakistani courts," he claimed. He said, "There was no bigger evidence of the Indian government's lack of interest in taking the case to its end than its refusal to allow FIA to question the only living proof of the attacks: Ajmal Kasab." "Kasab was hanged in such haste so that the Mumbai attacks could be used as a tool for Pakistan bashing across the world on political basis," he said. He claimed that although Pakistan had cooperated with the Indian government for information-sharing regarding every terrorist incident, India had not reciprocated for incidents taking place inside Pakistan. The Mumbai attack case has entered into the 10th year but none of its suspects in Pakistan has been punished yet, showing that the case had never been in the priority list of Islamabad that appears to be keen to put it under the carpet. A number of Pakistani witnesses both official and private testified and provided evidence against the seven accused, but the Pakistani authorities have been insisting on sending Indian witnesses for reaching a verdict in the case. Some 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by 10 LeT men. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Kasab was caught and hanged after handed down death sentence. (With inputs from PTI)

India's 'uncooperative' attitude, 'stubbornness' delaying Mumbai attacks trial: Pakistan ex-minister

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat- ud -Dawah (JuD)&nbsp;chief Hafiz Saeed on Friday&nbsp;walked free from house arrest and said he would gather people across Pakistan for the &quot;cause of Kashmir&quot; and try to help Kashmiris get their &quot;destination of freedom&quot;.

The JuD&nbsp;head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January.

&quot;I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir,&quot; Saeed told his supporters gathered outside his residence to celebrate his release.

&quot;I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom,&quot; he said upon his release.

Punjab province&#39;s Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday unanimously ordered Saeed&#39;s release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which expired last night.

Saeed said that he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris in January.

Using the release order to buttress his claim of &quot;innocence&quot;, Saeed said: &quot;I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release... India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC&#39;s review board decision has proved that I am innocent&quot;.

The JuD chief said that the US, on India&#39;s request, pressured Pakistan to detain him.

&quot;I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India,&quot; he claimed.

Several JuD supporters, gathered outside Saeed&#39;s house in Lahore&#39;s Jauhar town to celebrate his release, shouted anti- India slogans and described their leader as &quot;a hope for the Kashmiri people&quot;.

&quot;We are happy to see our leader free. Hafiz sahib received his release order from the jail officials. Now he is a free man,&quot; JuD spokesman Ahmad Nadim said.

&quot;Saeed has been freed as the Punjab government decided not to detain him further in any other case,&quot; a top government official told.

He said that after a long deliberation, it has been decided to follow the review board&#39;s decision.

Saeed&#39;s release would invite strong criticism from India and the US, official sources said.

&quot;It remains to be seen as how would the PML-N government handle the foreign pressure to again detain Saeed,&quot; they said.

Punjab Assistant Advocate General Sattar Sahil said the government law officer had presented &quot;some important evidence&quot; to justify Saeed&#39;s detention, but all three members of the board unanimously rejected it and ordered his release.

On January 31, Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. The last two extensions were made on the &#39;public safety law&#39;.

The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed&#39;s aides. They were set free last month.

According to the rules, the government could detain a person for up to three months under different charges, but for an extension, it needs approval from a judicial review board.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed.

Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and demanded trial of Saeed and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of the evidence it had provided to Islamabad.

Ten LeT militants had killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a court found him guilty.

Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

The JuD?head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January.

Mumbai attack mastermind and banned Jamaat- ud -Dawah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed on Friday walked free from house arrest and said he would gather people across Pakistan for the "cause of Kashmir" and try to help Kashmiris get their "destination of freedom". The JuD head, who carries a USD 10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case. He was under detention since January. "I was detained for 10 months only to stop my voice for Kashmir," Saeed told his supporters gathered outside his residence to celebrate his release. "I fight for the cause of Kashmiris. I will gather the people from across the country for the cause of Kashmir and we will try to help Kashmiris get their destination of freedom," he said upon his release. Punjab province's Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday unanimously ordered Saeed's release on the completion of his 30-day house arrest which expired last night. Saeed said that he was detained when he announced a month of solidarity for Kashmiris in January. Using the release order to buttress his claim of "innocence", Saeed said: "I am very happy that none of the allegations against me proved as three judges of the LHC ordered my release... India had levelled baseless allegations against me. The LHC's review board decision has proved that I am innocent". The JuD chief said that the US, on India's request, pressured Pakistan to detain him. "I was detained on the pressure of the US on the Pakistani government. The US did so on the request of India," he claimed. Several JuD supporters, gathered outside Saeed's house in Lahore's Jauhar town to celebrate his release, shouted anti- India slogans and described their leader as "a hope for the Kashmiri people". "We are happy to see our leader free. Hafiz sahib received his release order from the jail officials. Now he is a free man," JuD spokesman Ahmad Nadim said. "Saeed has been freed as the Punjab government decided not to detain him further in any other case," a top government official told. He said that after a long deliberation, it has been decided to follow the review board's decision. Saeed's release would invite strong criticism from India and the US, official sources said. "It remains to be seen as how would the PML-N government handle the foreign pressure to again detain Saeed," they said. Punjab Assistant Advocate General Sattar Sahil said the government law officer had presented "some important evidence" to justify Saeed's detention, but all three members of the board unanimously rejected it and ordered his release. On January 31, Saeed and his four aides Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain were detained by the Punjab government for 90 days under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 and the Fourth Schedule of Anti- Terrorism Act 1997. The last two extensions were made on the 'public safety law'. The board refused to give further extension to the detention of Saeed's aides. They were set free last month. According to the rules, the government could detain a person for up to three months under different charges, but for an extension, it needs approval from a judicial review board. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 in which 166 people, including six Americans, were killed. Saeed was put under house arrest after the Mumbai attack in November 2008 but he was freed by a court in 2009. India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to re-investigate the Mumbai terror attack case and demanded trial of Saeed and LeT operations commander Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi in the light of the evidence it had provided to Islamabad. Ten LeT militants had killed 166 people and wounded dozens in Mumbai in November 2008. Nine of the attackers were killed by police while lone survivor Ajmal Kasab was caught and executed after a court found him guilty. Saeed was declared a global terrorist by the US and the UN after the Mumbai attack.

Hafiz Saeed walks free; vows to fight for 'Kashmir cause'

India on Thursday condemned the decision of a Pakistan court to release from house arrest Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding attacks on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed.

Saeed, co-founder of dreaded militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned organisation in both India and the United States (US), was put under house arrest in January after years of living freely in Pakistan, one of the sore points in its fraying relationship with the US and India.

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda while adding that it showcases Pakistan&#39;s &#39;lack of seriousness&#39; in handling issues concerning militancy on its soil.

Meanwhile, anti-Pakistan protest erupted in parts of India to protest the release of Saeed.

India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attacks through the LeT, which Saeed founded in the 1990s.

Pakistan has denied any state involvement in the attack. It placed the LeT on a list of banned organizations in 2002.

Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed

A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the release of one of the alleged masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people, after months of US pressure on Islamabad over its alleged support for militants.

Firebrand cleric Hafiz Saeed, who heads the UN-listed terrorist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and has a $10 million US bounty on his head, will be freed tomorrow after less than a year in detention following the decision by the Lahore High Court, a JuD official said.&nbsp;

&quot;The review board looking into the case... has refused to extend his house arrest as the government failed to provide any evidence against the charges,&quot; a spokesman for the party, Ahmed Nadeen said.

The horror of the Mumbai carnage played out on live television around the world as commandos battled the heavily armed gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, 2008.

It took the authorities three days to regain full control of the city.&nbsp;

JuD, which has operated freely across Pakistan and is popular for its charity work, is considered by the US and India to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group blamed for the attack on India&#39;s financial capital.&nbsp;

New Delhi has long seethed at Pakistan&#39;s failure either to hand over or prosecute those accused of planning the attacks, while Islamabad has alleged that India failed to give it crucial evidence.

India has also said there is proof that &quot;official agencies&quot; in Pakistan were involved in plotting the attack -- a charge Islamabad denies.

Analyst and retired Pakistani general Talat Masood told AFP that Saeed is given special treatment by the government &quot;because they think that his organisation was supportive in Kashmir&quot;, the disputed Himalayan territory over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars.

Saeed said later in a video message that he was detained because of his association with Kashmir.

&quot;It&#39;s because of Kashmir that India is after me, but all her efforts have been in vain and Allah has set me free,&quot; he said in the video released by his party&#39;s media team.

&quot;This is a victory for Pakistan&#39;s freedom and God willing Kashmir will also be freed because I&#39;m fighting Kashmir&#39;s case,&quot; Saeed added.

India blames Pakistan for sending militant groups, including LeT, to foment unrest in the part of Kashmir controlled by New Delhi.

However, Masood said the government could seek new reasons to detain Saeed to avoid more international pressure, particularly from Washington, which has been pressuring Pakistan for months over its alleged support for militants including the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump in August accused Pakistan of harbouring &quot;agents of chaos&quot;, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month that the Washington has made &quot;very specific&quot; requests of Pakistan over militancy.&nbsp;

The US has also made several overtures to Pakistan&#39;s arch-enemy India for closer ties.&nbsp;

Following a brief period of house arrest in 2008, Saeed led a high-profile public life and regularly delivered fiery anti-India speeches.

He was placed under house arrest once more in January this year following years of foreign pressure, prompting demonstrations in several Pakistani cities.

Masood said that his release could see him participate in a general election set to be held sometime next year, adding that if he won a seat in the national assembly that could be &quot;very embarrassing internationally&quot;.

(With AFP inputs)&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda

India on Thursday condemned the decision of a Pakistan court to release from house arrest Islamist leader Hafiz Saeed, accused of masterminding attacks on Mumbai in 2008 in which 166 people were killed. Saeed, co-founder of dreaded militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a banned organisation in both India and the United States (US), was put under house arrest in January after years of living freely in Pakistan, one of the sore points in its fraying relationship with the US and India. Indian foreign ministry spokesman Raveesh Kumar said that the country is outraged that a self-confessed and a United Nations proscribed terrorist was allowed to walk free and continue with his evil agenda while adding that it showcases Pakistan's 'lack of seriousness' in handling issues concerning militancy on its soil. Meanwhile, anti-Pakistan protest erupted in parts of India to protest the release of Saeed. India accused Pakistan of sponsoring the attacks through the LeT, which Saeed founded in the 1990s. Pakistan has denied any state involvement in the attack. It placed the LeT on a list of banned organizations in 2002. Pakistan frees Hafiz Saeed A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the release of one of the alleged masterminds of the 2008 Mumbai attacks which killed more than 160 people, after months of US pressure on Islamabad over its alleged support for militants. Firebrand cleric Hafiz Saeed, who heads the UN-listed terrorist group Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and has a $10 million US bounty on his head, will be freed tomorrow after less than a year in detention following the decision by the Lahore High Court, a JuD official said. "The review board looking into the case... has refused to extend his house arrest as the government failed to provide any evidence against the charges," a spokesman for the party, Ahmed Nadeen said. The horror of the Mumbai carnage played out on live television around the world as commandos battled the heavily armed gunmen, who arrived by sea on the evening of November 26, 2008. It took the authorities three days to regain full control of the city. JuD, which has operated freely across Pakistan and is popular for its charity work, is considered by the US and India to be a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the militant group blamed for the attack on India's financial capital. New Delhi has long seethed at Pakistan's failure either to hand over or prosecute those accused of planning the attacks, while Islamabad has alleged that India failed to give it crucial evidence. India has also said there is proof that "official agencies" in Pakistan were involved in plotting the attack -- a charge Islamabad denies. Analyst and retired Pakistani general Talat Masood told AFP that Saeed is given special treatment by the government "because they think that his organisation was supportive in Kashmir", the disputed Himalayan territory over which India and Pakistan have fought two of their three wars. Saeed said later in a video message that he was detained because of his association with Kashmir. "It's because of Kashmir that India is after me, but all her efforts have been in vain and Allah has set me free," he said in the video released by his party's media team. "This is a victory for Pakistan's freedom and God willing Kashmir will also be freed because I'm fighting Kashmir's case," Saeed added. India blames Pakistan for sending militant groups, including LeT, to foment unrest in the part of Kashmir controlled by New Delhi. However, Masood said the government could seek new reasons to detain Saeed to avoid more international pressure, particularly from Washington, which has been pressuring Pakistan for months over its alleged support for militants including the Taliban in neighbouring Afghanistan. US President Donald Trump in August accused Pakistan of harbouring "agents of chaos", and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said last month that the Washington has made "very specific" requests of Pakistan over militancy. The US has also made several overtures to Pakistan's arch-enemy India for closer ties. Following a brief period of house arrest in 2008, Saeed led a high-profile public life and regularly delivered fiery anti-India speeches. He was placed under house arrest once more in January this year following years of foreign pressure, prompting demonstrations in several Pakistani cities. Masood said that his release could see him participate in a general election set to be held sometime next year, adding that if he won a seat in the national assembly that could be "very embarrassing internationally". (With AFP inputs)

India condemns release of Mumbai terror attack 'mastermind' Hafiz Saeed

&ldquo;Nine years after 26/11, its mastermind still eludes justice. It is time to rescind Pakistan&rsquo;s status as a major non-NATO ally,&rdquo; Bruce Riedel, a top US&nbsp;expert on security, South Asia and counter-terrorism told PTI.

A top American counter-terrorism expert has urged the Trump administration to &ldquo;rescind&rdquo; the major non-NATO ally status given to Pakistan after a court in Lahore ordered to free Mumbai terror attack mastermind and banned JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from detention.

The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head, carrying a bounty of $10 million announced by the US&nbsp;for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year.

The Trump administration on Wednesday said that Saeed is a terrorist leader designated by both the United Nations and the United States, hours after a Pakistani court ordered his release from detention.

&ldquo;Nine years after 26/11, its mastermind still eludes justice. It is time to rescind Pakistan&rsquo;s status as a major non-NATO ally,&rdquo; Bruce Riedel, a top US&nbsp;expert on security, South Asia and counter-terrorism told PTI.

&ldquo;In a word, the release is an outrage. Before long we will read news reports of Hafiz Saeed leading more rallies with thousands of people,&rdquo; Alyssa Ayres, former State Department official who is currently with the Council on Foreign Relations, said after the Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the Pakistani government to free Saeed.

Saeed is a UN-sanctioned individual terrorist who leads a UN-sanctioned terrorist organisation, Ms. Ayres said, alleging that Pakistan does not see fit to follow through on its obligations to uphold UN Security Council (UNSC) terrorist designations.

&ldquo;Pakistan cannot credibly claim to be fighting terrorism while failing its most basic security obligation to UNSC designations,&rdquo; Ms. Ayres said.

According to Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson Center, one should not be surprised by this announcement.

&ldquo;Pakistani legal authorities have frequently hinted they have insufficient evidence to justify his continued detention, so it was just a matter of time before this militant, who happens to be a critical Pakistani state asset, walks free.

&ldquo;This news will certainly rankle US&nbsp;officials, who often point out that the dozens of casualties in the Mumbai terror attack included several Americans,&rdquo; Mr. Kugelman said.

Saeed&rsquo;s release will reinforce Washington&rsquo;s longstanding belief that Pakistan embraces a selective policy toward terrorism that entails coddling militants that help serve Pakistani interests, he said.

&ldquo;All this said, we should not overstate the impact this move will have on U.S.-Pakistan relations,&rdquo; Mr. Kugelman said.

For the Trump administration, whose policy towards Pakistan revolves above all around protecting American lives, the terror group of greatest concern in Pakistan is the Haqqani Network, which the U.S. blames for various attacks on American and Western targets in Afghanistan.

&ldquo;The LeT is certainly important for Washington, but compared to the Haqqani network it is presently a relative sideshow in U.S. policy considerations,&rdquo; Mr. Kugelman added.

The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack.

Husain Haqqani, Pakistan&rsquo;s former Ambassador to the US, attributed this to the mixed messaging coming from the Trump administration in the last few weeks.

US officials were trying to signal to Pakistan that if it takes action against the Haqqani terror network, that could be seen as a positive move and &ldquo;may thwart&rdquo; tougher actions against Islamabad, as promised by President Donald Trump in his new South Asia policy, he said.

&ldquo;In the process they [the US] may have inadvertently made the Pakistani think that the US only wants action against the Haqqani network and not against groups like the LeT that are acting against India.

&ldquo;My fear is that mixed signals will lead to a situation in which Pakistan fails to take decisive action against Afghan-oriented and India-oriented terrorist groups,&rdquo; he said.

The United States, a State Department official said, is aware of media reports regarding Pakistan&rsquo;s ordered release of Saeed from the house arrest. In May 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224.

Saeed was also individually designated by the United Nations under UNSCR 1267 (UN Security Council Resolution) in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks.

The LeT and several of its front organisations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions, the State Department has said.

&ldquo;The United States reiterates its stance that LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens,&rdquo; a State Department Spokesperson said.

'Nine years after 26/11, its mastermind still eludes justice. It is time to rescind Pakistan?s status as a major non-NATO ally,' Bruce Riedel said

“Nine years after 26/11, its mastermind still eludes justice. It is time to rescind Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally,” Bruce Riedel, a top US expert on security, South Asia and counter-terrorism told PTI. A top American counter-terrorism expert has urged the Trump administration to “rescind” the major non-NATO ally status given to Pakistan after a court in Lahore ordered to free Mumbai terror attack mastermind and banned JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from detention. The banned Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD) head, carrying a bounty of $10 million announced by the US for his role in terror activities, has been under detention since January this year. The Trump administration on Wednesday said that Saeed is a terrorist leader designated by both the United Nations and the United States, hours after a Pakistani court ordered his release from detention. “Nine years after 26/11, its mastermind still eludes justice. It is time to rescind Pakistan’s status as a major non-NATO ally,” Bruce Riedel, a top US expert on security, South Asia and counter-terrorism told PTI. “In a word, the release is an outrage. Before long we will read news reports of Hafiz Saeed leading more rallies with thousands of people,” Alyssa Ayres, former State Department official who is currently with the Council on Foreign Relations, said after the Lahore High Court on Wednesday ordered the Pakistani government to free Saeed. Saeed is a UN-sanctioned individual terrorist who leads a UN-sanctioned terrorist organisation, Ms. Ayres said, alleging that Pakistan does not see fit to follow through on its obligations to uphold UN Security Council (UNSC) terrorist designations. “Pakistan cannot credibly claim to be fighting terrorism while failing its most basic security obligation to UNSC designations,” Ms. Ayres said. According to Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson Center, one should not be surprised by this announcement. “Pakistani legal authorities have frequently hinted they have insufficient evidence to justify his continued detention, so it was just a matter of time before this militant, who happens to be a critical Pakistani state asset, walks free. “This news will certainly rankle US officials, who often point out that the dozens of casualties in the Mumbai terror attack included several Americans,” Mr. Kugelman said. Saeed’s release will reinforce Washington’s longstanding belief that Pakistan embraces a selective policy toward terrorism that entails coddling militants that help serve Pakistani interests, he said. “All this said, we should not overstate the impact this move will have on U.S.-Pakistan relations,” Mr. Kugelman said. For the Trump administration, whose policy towards Pakistan revolves above all around protecting American lives, the terror group of greatest concern in Pakistan is the Haqqani Network, which the U.S. blames for various attacks on American and Western targets in Afghanistan. “The LeT is certainly important for Washington, but compared to the Haqqani network it is presently a relative sideshow in U.S. policy considerations,” Mr. Kugelman added. The JuD is believed to be the front organisation for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the Mumbai attack. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s former Ambassador to the US, attributed this to the mixed messaging coming from the Trump administration in the last few weeks. US officials were trying to signal to Pakistan that if it takes action against the Haqqani terror network, that could be seen as a positive move and “may thwart” tougher actions against Islamabad, as promised by President Donald Trump in his new South Asia policy, he said. “In the process they [the US] may have inadvertently made the Pakistani think that the US only wants action against the Haqqani network and not against groups like the LeT that are acting against India. “My fear is that mixed signals will lead to a situation in which Pakistan fails to take decisive action against Afghan-oriented and India-oriented terrorist groups,” he said. The United States, a State Department official said, is aware of media reports regarding Pakistan’s ordered release of Saeed from the house arrest. In May 2008, the United States Department of the Treasury designated Saeed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under Executive Order 13224. Saeed was also individually designated by the United Nations under UNSCR 1267 (UN Security Council Resolution) in December 2008 following the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. The LeT and several of its front organisations, leaders, and operatives remain under both State Department and Treasury Department sanctions, the State Department has said. “The United States reiterates its stance that LeT is a designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation responsible for the death of hundreds of innocent civilians in terrorist attacks, including a number of American citizens,” a State Department Spokesperson said.

Time to 'rescind' Pakistan's major non-NATO ally status: US expert

Pakistan authorities have extended the house arrest of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed for one more month. The officials in the country&#39;s Punjab province said Saeed&#39;s activities threatened to cause disruptions in the country. Yesterday, Pakistan&#39;s interior ministry had opposed the registration of the Milli Muslim League (MML), the political arm of banned terror outfit, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, as a political party.&nbsp;

The moves apparently come after the United States of America sent a protest note to the Pakistan government about MML and its ideological background, The Hindu reported.

The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief&nbsp;has been under house arrest since&nbsp;January 31. JuD is a banned terror organisation, while its chief Saeed is a United Nation&nbsp;and US-designated global terrorist for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.&nbsp;

On Tuesday, the home department of Pakistan&#39;s Punjab province issued an order extending the house arrest of Saeed for another month with effect from September 25. The order also extends the house arrests of his four aides, Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain.Saeed and his four aides have been under house arrest since January 31, with the Pakistan authorities extending it every month. The previous order to extend his house arrest was issued on&nbsp;July 28.

&quot;...Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat have planned to spread chaos in the country on their expected release. They have planned to make demonstrations under the leadership of Saeed. He will be portrayed as a hero and his acts will be glorified,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s home department that is incharge of internal security said in its latest notification.

The Jamaat central leader, Abdul Rehman Makki, was making preparations for Saeed&#39;s release, the home department notification also said.

The notification further read, &quot;Transport is being arranged, arms are also being collected for a show of force and for use, if need be, against the personnel of law enforcement agencies. Funds are also being used collected for the purpose. The liberty of Saeed is a continuous threat to the peace and tranquillity. Further recommendation for his detention is in the interest of peace and order.&quot;

Lahore&#39;s district intelligence committee had also raised its concerns about Saeed&#39;s release: &quot;There is apprehension that Saeed shall create law and order situation upon release.&quot;

Additional Home Secretary Mar R Azam Suleman said that the activities of Saeed were &quot;prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order&quot;.

Meanwhile, Saeed, today filed a fresh application in the Lahore High Court against the latest order extending his detention for another 30 days.

Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi turned down a request by the home department for holding in-camera proceedings of the petition as the matter was sensitive. The judge adjourned hearing till&nbsp;October 2.

JuD leaders&#39; counsel Advocate A K Dogar had contended the government detained the petitioners on the basis of mere apprehension.

He said imprisonment without trial and conviction was prima facie unlawful and unconstitutional.

An official of the Home Department presented the latest detention order of the petitioner before the court. He told the court that activities of JuD leaders if released, would pose a serious threat to the public safety and cause a breach of public order.

He said a number of cases had been registered against Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a sister organisation of the JuD, while the detainees also launched a campaign of their political party, which was still not registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan.

He said all the law enforcement agencies strongly recommended that the detention of the JuD leader should be extended in the larger public interest.

JuD is believed to be the front for the banned Lashkar- e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack. The organisation is accused of involvement in militant activities in&nbsp;India and has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014.

The US has offered a USD 10 million bounties for Saeed for his alleged role in the Mumbai attacks.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Pakistan's interior ministry has also written to its election commission against the registration of Saeed's political party

Pakistan authorities have extended the house arrest of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed for one more month. The officials in the country's Punjab province said Saeed's activities threatened to cause disruptions in the country. Yesterday, Pakistan's interior ministry had opposed the registration of the Milli Muslim League (MML), the political arm of banned terror outfit, Jamaat-ud-Dawa, as a political party. The moves apparently come after the United States of America sent a protest note to the Pakistan government about MML and its ideological background, The Hindu reported. The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) chief has been under house arrest since January 31. JuD is a banned terror organisation, while its chief Saeed is a United Nation and US-designated global terrorist for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. On Tuesday, the home department of Pakistan's Punjab province issued an order extending the house arrest of Saeed for another month with effect from September 25. The order also extends the house arrests of his four aides, Abdullah Ubaid, Malik Zafar Iqbal, Abdul Rehman Abid and Qazi Kashif Hussain.Saeed and his four aides have been under house arrest since January 31, with the Pakistan authorities extending it every month. The previous order to extend his house arrest was issued on July 28. "...Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat have planned to spread chaos in the country on their expected release. They have planned to make demonstrations under the leadership of Saeed. He will be portrayed as a hero and his acts will be glorified," Pakistan's home department that is incharge of internal security said in its latest notification. The Jamaat central leader, Abdul Rehman Makki, was making preparations for Saeed's release, the home department notification also said. The notification further read, "Transport is being arranged, arms are also being collected for a show of force and for use, if need be, against the personnel of law enforcement agencies. Funds are also being used collected for the purpose. The liberty of Saeed is a continuous threat to the peace and tranquillity. Further recommendation for his detention is in the interest of peace and order." Lahore's district intelligence committee had also raised its concerns about Saeed's release: "There is apprehension that Saeed shall create law and order situation upon release." Additional Home Secretary Mar R Azam Suleman said that the activities of Saeed were "prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order". Meanwhile, Saeed, today filed a fresh application in the Lahore High Court against the latest order extending his detention for another 30 days. Justice Syed Mazahar Ali Akbar Naqvi turned down a request by the home department for holding in-camera proceedings of the petition as the matter was sensitive. The judge adjourned hearing till October 2. JuD leaders' counsel Advocate A K Dogar had contended the government detained the petitioners on the basis of mere apprehension. He said imprisonment without trial and conviction was prima facie unlawful and unconstitutional. An official of the Home Department presented the latest detention order of the petitioner before the court. He told the court that activities of JuD leaders if released, would pose a serious threat to the public safety and cause a breach of public order. He said a number of cases had been registered against Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation (FIF), a sister organisation of the JuD, while the detainees also launched a campaign of their political party, which was still not registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan. He said all the law enforcement agencies strongly recommended that the detention of the JuD leader should be extended in the larger public interest. JuD is believed to be the front for the banned Lashkar- e-Taiba (LeT) which is responsible for carrying out the 2008 Mumbai attack. The organisation is accused of involvement in militant activities in India and has already been declared as a foreign terrorist organisation by the US in 2014. The US has offered a USD 10 million bounties for Saeed for his alleged role in the Mumbai attacks.

Pakistan: Hafiz Saeed's house arrest continues, government writes to EC against his party

Hafiz Saeed&#39;s brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who carries a $2 million bounty on his head, has been given the charge of the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa after the Mumbai terror attack mastermind was put under house arrest by Pakistan&#39;s Punjab government.

&quot;Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who is also the brother-in-law of Saeed, has officially been made head of JuD in the wake of house arrest of Saeed,&quot; a JuD official told PTI today.

Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed&#39;s detention, he said.

Asked about reports that Saeed is still running the JuD from his house (which is declared sub-jail by the Punjab government) in Lahore, the JuD official denied.

&quot;Makki sahib is looking after all affairs of the organisation,&quot; he said.

Makki has led over half-a-dozen rallies in Lahore and elsewhere since the detention of Saeed.

The Punjab government on January 30 had put Saeed and four other leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest for a period of 90 days in exercise of powers under section 11-EEE(1) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997.

Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997.

JuD has rebranded under the new name of &#39;Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir&#39;, just days after Saeed&#39;s house arrest.

Federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had claimed that the government was fulfilling its obligations under United Nations Security Council&#39;s resolutions.

The names of Saeed and 37 other members of JuD and FIF have also been placed on exit control list, preventing them from leaving the country.

As Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attack, carrying a US bounty of $10 million on his head, Makki has also $2 million on his head.

In a statement issued here yesterday, Makki demanded immediate release of Saeed.

(PTI)

Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed's detention, a JuD official said

Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who carries a $2 million bounty on his head, has been given the charge of the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa after the Mumbai terror attack mastermind was put under house arrest by Pakistan's Punjab government. "Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki, who is also the brother-in-law of Saeed, has officially been made head of JuD in the wake of house arrest of Saeed," a JuD official told PTI today. Makki was the second in command of JuD and he took over the reins of the group soon after Saeed's detention, he said. Asked about reports that Saeed is still running the JuD from his house (which is declared sub-jail by the Punjab government) in Lahore, the JuD official denied. "Makki sahib is looking after all affairs of the organisation," he said. Makki has led over half-a-dozen rallies in Lahore and elsewhere since the detention of Saeed. The Punjab government on January 30 had put Saeed and four other leaders of JuD and Falah-e-Insaniat (FIF) under house arrest for a period of 90 days in exercise of powers under section 11-EEE(1) of Anti Terrorism Act 1997. Various offices of both JuD and FIF were closed following the house arrest of Saeed. Both organisations were also put on observation under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. JuD has rebranded under the new name of 'Tehreek Azadi Jammu and Kashmir', just days after Saeed's house arrest. Federal interior minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had claimed that the government was fulfilling its obligations under United Nations Security Council's resolutions. The names of Saeed and 37 other members of JuD and FIF have also been placed on exit control list, preventing them from leaving the country. As Saeed, the mastermind of 2008 Mumbai attack, carrying a US bounty of $10 million on his head, Makki has also $2 million on his head. In a statement issued here yesterday, Makki demanded immediate release of Saeed. (PTI)

Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Makki appointed Jamaat-ud Dawa head

It was a little after 8.30 pm on November 26, 2008, that Ajmal Kasab and his nine accomplices parked their inflated rubber dinghy off Bhai Bhandarkar Macchimar Colony opposite Badhwar Park at Cuffe Parade in the Indian city of Mumbai. They had set sail from Pakistan three days back, forcibly commandeering a trawler, MV Kuber, in Indian waters, after ruthlessly murdering its crew to breach the channel of Mumbai port undetected.

After navigating their way through the by-lanes of the fishing colony and splitting into five teams of two, the terror group unleashed a savage attack that transpired into a three-day siege of India&#39;s financial capital, claiming 166 innocent lives.

Eight years hence, if another 26/11-like attack was to happen around the same time of the evening, the night patrolling personnel at the Mumbai port would have a hard time in spotting an obscure rubber dinghy or any suspicious vessel, with just one night-vision device (NVD) to their aid.

According to a security audit by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) &ndash; deployed to secure the Mumbai port &ndash; it needs at least seven NVDs and four day-vision binoculars to patrol the large water perimeter effectively. It has one now and procurement for five are under way.

The shortage of vital and basic accessories like binoculars is a grim reminder of the continuous struggle to enhance and fortify the coastal security of a major port like Mumbai. A retired police officer said that binoculars are just a technical matter. &quot;The MV Kuber, with Kasab and gang, was able to breach the channel of the Mumbai port and sail close into the shore. There is a need to strengthen the access control of the port as hundreds of fishing vessels move up and down. Even with NVDs and binoculars, it will be tough to detect a suspicious vehicle,&#39;&#39; he said.

In a security revamp, post 26/11, a unified command of the CISF was inducted for the security of the Mumbai port. Over 500 trained personnel, including marine commandos, are deployed at ports, docks and the islands under the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The CISF annually conducts a security audit.

In the last audit in 2015, the CISF pointed out the paucity of the NVDs, observing that at least 11 day-and-night vision binoculars were required, with patrolling units to cover the large perimeter and detect any suspicious activity. The MbPT has informed that it is in the process of procurement and has got one NVD so far.

Former DGP and CEO of Cochin Port N Ramachandran, who had submitted a high-level port security report to the Central government, just before the 26/11 attack, said that many gaps continue to exist when it comes to securing the coastline and major ports. &quot;Patrolling has to be carried round the clock. Any suspicious vessel has to be accosted and questioned. Unfortunately, there has been no consistency in policy and implementation,&#39;&#39; he said.

In the event of a forced entry at Yellow gate, Orange gate, Old yellow gate and Purple gate, the audit report says that there is no anti-crash devices like boom barriers, mobile pickets, RFID on vehicles for identification and tracking, and additional bullet proof jackets for security personnel.

CISF officials told DNA that the measures recommended in the audit report were being addressed by the MbPT. &quot;The CISF only provides trained personnel. It&#39;s the MbPT&#39;s responsibility to provide infrastructure and technical details.&#39;&#39;

(This article first appeared in DNA)

Eight years after the attack, a paucity of night-vision devices and other basic accessories do not augur well in securing the city of Mumbai

It was a little after 8.30 pm on November 26, 2008, that Ajmal Kasab and his nine accomplices parked their inflated rubber dinghy off Bhai Bhandarkar Macchimar Colony opposite Badhwar Park at Cuffe Parade in the Indian city of Mumbai. They had set sail from Pakistan three days back, forcibly commandeering a trawler, MV Kuber, in Indian waters, after ruthlessly murdering its crew to breach the channel of Mumbai port undetected. After navigating their way through the by-lanes of the fishing colony and splitting into five teams of two, the terror group unleashed a savage attack that transpired into a three-day siege of India's financial capital, claiming 166 innocent lives. Eight years hence, if another 26/11-like attack was to happen around the same time of the evening, the night patrolling personnel at the Mumbai port would have a hard time in spotting an obscure rubber dinghy or any suspicious vessel, with just one night-vision device (NVD) to their aid. According to a security audit by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) – deployed to secure the Mumbai port – it needs at least seven NVDs and four day-vision binoculars to patrol the large water perimeter effectively. It has one now and procurement for five are under way. The shortage of vital and basic accessories like binoculars is a grim reminder of the continuous struggle to enhance and fortify the coastal security of a major port like Mumbai. A retired police officer said that binoculars are just a technical matter. "The MV Kuber, with Kasab and gang, was able to breach the channel of the Mumbai port and sail close into the shore. There is a need to strengthen the access control of the port as hundreds of fishing vessels move up and down. Even with NVDs and binoculars, it will be tough to detect a suspicious vehicle,'' he said. In a security revamp, post 26/11, a unified command of the CISF was inducted for the security of the Mumbai port. Over 500 trained personnel, including marine commandos, are deployed at ports, docks and the islands under the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT). The CISF annually conducts a security audit. In the last audit in 2015, the CISF pointed out the paucity of the NVDs, observing that at least 11 day-and-night vision binoculars were required, with patrolling units to cover the large perimeter and detect any suspicious activity. The MbPT has informed that it is in the process of procurement and has got one NVD so far. Former DGP and CEO of Cochin Port N Ramachandran, who had submitted a high-level port security report to the Central government, just before the 26/11 attack, said that many gaps continue to exist when it comes to securing the coastline and major ports. "Patrolling has to be carried round the clock. Any suspicious vessel has to be accosted and questioned. Unfortunately, there has been no consistency in policy and implementation,'' he said. In the event of a forced entry at Yellow gate, Orange gate, Old yellow gate and Purple gate, the audit report says that there is no anti-crash devices like boom barriers, mobile pickets, RFID on vehicles for identification and tracking, and additional bullet proof jackets for security personnel. CISF officials told DNA that the measures recommended in the audit report were being addressed by the MbPT. "The CISF only provides trained personnel. It's the MbPT's responsibility to provide infrastructure and technical details.'' (This article first appeared in DNA)

India: Are we yet to learn a lesson from 26/11?