Pak court orders release of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed

A Pakistani court on Wednesday ordered the release of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest, rejecting the government’s request for a three-month extension of his detention. Saeed is scheduled to be released on Thursday. Notably, the United States has offered a $10 million prize for Saeed over his role in the 26/11 attack. Despite of multiple reports that he was directly or indirectly involved in terror attacks that have struck the Kashmir Valley. This development also indicates that Pakistan is reluctant to act terror that thrives on their own soil.

The provincial Punjab government had produced Saeed before the Judicial Review Board comprising judges of the Lahore High Court and pleaded that his detention is extended for three months. While seeking the extension, a Punjab Home Department official said the failure to extend Saeed’s detention could invite international sanctions on Pakistan.