US action on JuD corroborates India's claims

The United States on Wednesday imposed economic sanctions against two senior members of terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and designated its "charity wing", Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), as its front organization. This development corroborates India's claim that JuD is mask of LeT and their boss Hafiz Saeed is active in terrorist activities and hate mongering in the name of charity.

India since long has been demanding extradition of Saeed who is accused of plotting and executing military and civilian attacks in India, notable among them are 2001 Indian Parliament attack and 2008 Mumbai attack. Hafiz Saeed who is an UN sanctioned terrorist also tops the list of 50 Most Wanted Terrorists which India handed over to Pakistan in 2011.

Actually, Pakistan banned the LeT in January 2002, but Saeed denied any links with the group. He promptly became the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). India has been blaming Saeed of being the mastermind behind all major terrorist attacks inside the country. But the Pakistan Government never paid any heed to India's demand of extraditing Saeed.

India's claim that JuD is mask of LeT has been vindicated

Due to the lackadaisical approach of the Pakistani Government, he is roaming scot free and planning out terror activities from its soil. At number of times, Saeed has been seen spewing venom against India. "There cannot be any peace while India remains intact. Cut them, cut them so much that they kneel before you and ask for mercy," he said once inone of his venomous hate speeches.

Since 2001, Hafiz has been detained three times, but everytime he was freed due to the apparent lack of evidence against him. Though, Saeed is banned from entering Islamabad, but on March 27, 2012 he defiantly addressed a rally organised by an umbrella group of Islamic groups near the Pakistan Parliament. The action against LeT and its chief Hafiz Saeed has been bone of contention between India and Pakistan.

The issue remains top of the discussion at almost all bilateral meet between the two countries. Currently, he lives in Lahore, Pakistan in a fortified house that is reportedly guarded by Pakistani police and his supporters.

Major terror attacks executed by Saeed:

2001 Indian Parliament attack: On 13 December, 2001 five terrorists entered the Parliament with aim to kill as many politicians as possible. The attack led to the death of a dozen people, including one civilian and led to increased tensions between India and Pakistan, resulting in 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff. The attack allegedly carried out by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Bowing to international pressure, Pakistan detained Saeed a week after the attack and he was held until March 31, 2002.

2008 Mumbai attack: The Financial capital of India, Mumbai was brutally attacked by Laskhar -e-Taiba's 10 heavily armed terrorists hailing from Pakistan, who had sneaked into Mumbai via unguarded Arabian Sea on November 26, 2008. At least 164 people were killed and some 308 people were seriously injured in well coordinated attacks. Following this, the US announced $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of LeT chief Hafiz Saeed.

2011 Mumbai train bombings: The series of three coordinated bomb explosions at different locations in Mumbai were carried out by LeT terrorists on 13 July 2011. The blasts occurred at the Opera House, at Zaveri Bazaar and at Dadar West localities, leaving 26 killed and 130 injured.