India defaming Kashmir struggle by naming Saeed, Lakhvi in Mumbai attacks: JuD

Lahore, May 4 (ANI): The Jamaat-ud-Daawa (JuD), the front face of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba which had masterminded the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has condemned the special court's verdict against the lone surviving gunman Ajmal Amir Kasab, and said India is trying to defame the Kashmir struggle by associating JuD chief Hafeez Muhammed Saeed and LeT's operations chief Zakiur Rahman Lakhvi's name with the 26/11 attacks.

"Right after the Mumbai attacks, Saeed categorically denied any involvement of his organisation in a press conference held the next day," JuD's spokesperson Yahya Mujahid told media persons here.

Mujahid asserted that Saeed has already been acquitted by the law of all charges labelled against him, which proves that he had nothing to do with the Mumbai attacks.

"After careful review and diligent hearings, a full bench of the Lahore High Court decided that all the accusations against Saeed were baseless," The Daily Times quoted Mujahid, as saying.

On Monday, the anti-terrorism court set-up in Mumbai's Arthur Road Jail found Kasab guilty of 83 of 86 charges filed against him.

The charges against Kasab include waging war against India, murder, abetting to murder, attempt to murder, violation of the Arms Act, Explosives Act, the Unlawful Activity Prevention Act (UAPA) and others.

However, the court declared two Indian co-accused- Faheem Ansari and Sabauddin Ahmed - not guilty, and said they must be acquitted of all charges due to lack of evidence.

The special court is likely to announce its final verdict in the case today (Tuesday,May 4). (ANI)