Pakistan arrests suspected Mumbai attack mastermind Saeed

International Desk Published: 17 July 2019, 05:30 PM

Pakistan arrests suspected Mumbai attack mastermind Saeed

Pakistani head of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa organisation Hafiz Saeed speaks to protesters in Lahore on Feb. 5, 2018. Arif Ali - AFP/Getty Images

Pakistani authorities say they have arrested a radical cleric and U.S.-wanted terror suspect blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, just days ahead of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s trip to Washington.

Counterterrorism official Mohammad Shafiq says Hafiz Saeed was taken into custody in Punjab province on Wednesday while he was traveling from the eastern city of Lahore to the city of Gujranwala.

He said Saeed appeared before a judge and was ordered held in jail until the next hearing.

Saeed founded the Lashkar-e-Taiba group blamed for the Mumbai attacks. The U.S. has offered $10 million for him.

Pakistan banned Saeed’s charities earlier this year and has previously detained him, along with several close aides. However, he has not been charged or put on trial so far.

Source: Time.com