Ban LeT front Jamaat-ud-Dawa: India to UN

New Delhi, Dec 10: Government of India on Tuesday, Dec 9 raised the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and demanded the world body to ban Jamaat-ud-Dawa, the front organisation of Lashkar-e-Toiba, which allegedly carried out the attacks. LeT is based in Pakistan. India also asked to ban such other terror outfits and impose strong sanctions against them.

E Ahmed, India's Minister of State for External Affairs said at UNSC "India will act to safeguard and protect its people from such heinous attacks however long and difficult that task may be." He said that India has been a victim of terror attacks sponsored from across the border for the last two decades and that when terrorist groups are used to serve the political interest of States, a deadly combination emerges and a terror machine is created.

Ahamed's statement at the 15-member UNSC, which was debating on 'Threats to international peace and security cause by terrorists', shows India has taken the first step in building an international case against the Mumbai attack conspirators.

Minister's statement points out the India have enough evidence against neighbouring state of Pakistan and the terrorist groups hiding there. He also asked the nation where terrorists are holed up to take immediate action and stop their operations.

He also called for India's 12-year-old comprehensive convention on terrorism to be adopted. "India had acted with restraint so far" said Ahmed. He reminded the Security Council that the UN Charter recognised the right of self-defence. He added that India would take whatever action necessary to protect its people. He requested the International community to act decisively and in a co-ordinated manner to prevent further acts of terror.

What is Jamaat-ud-Dawa?

JuD is the public name of Lashkar-e-Toiba, which is banned in 2002. United States and India have said that the LeT and its leaders are involved in the gruesome Mumbai terror attacks that killed nealy 200 people.

Founded by Hafiz Muhammed Saeed in the Kunar province of Afghanistan, Laskhar-e-Toiba is one of the largest and most active terrorist organisations in South Asia. It is currently based near Lahore of Pakistan. It is learnt that LeT is operating several militant training camps in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

LeT is banned as a terrorist organization by India, Pakistan, the United States, Britain, European Union, Russia and Australia. Reportedly LeT had renamed itself as Jama'at-ul-Da'wah (JuD) in Jan 2002 to escape the ban imposed by the Pakistani government.

OneIndia News (With input from agencies)