Pak arrests mastermind of Mumbai Terror attacks

Muzaffarabad/Islamabad, Dec 8: Pakistani security forces have launched a 'quiet' crackdown on activists affiliated with the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the political wing of the banned militant outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba on the Pakistan side of Kashmir as well as in other parts of the country.

According to the Dawn, in Muzaffarabad, a major army operation was under way in the city suburbs on Sunday, Dec 7 against a site being used by the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, which is headed by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed.

Sources told the paper that more than 20 members of the banned organisation and Lashkar-e-Toiba's 'commander' Zakiur Rehman Lakhwi had been arrested.

There are reports that similar actions are planned in some cities and towns of Punjab.

Pakistan is under international pressure to take action against the organisation for its alleged involvement in the Nov 26- Nov 29 Mumbai terror attacks.

However, reports of the crackdown could not be confirmed from the interior ministry or the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Police and civil administration officials in Muzaffarabad told reporters they did not know what was happening.

Local residents, however, said they had seen army personnel taking control of the area along Shawai Nullah, some five kilometers northwest of Muzaffarabad, where the organisation possesses a large plot of land on which several buildings had been built.

Hafiz Saeed is said to have occupied the same place before the organisation was proscribed.

There were also unconfirmed reports of an exchange of fire.

Ambulances from various city hospitals had been called to the area by troops but witnesses said they returned without any injured person.

In Chehla Bandi, soldiers are reported to be checking vehicles bound for the Neelum Valley.

Several attempts were made to obtain army's version about the reported operation but reporters were told that a statement would soon be issued by the ISPR.

ANI