New Delhi:
It's what India has been waiting for. Hafiz Saeed, believed to be the mastermind of the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, is likely to be arrested soon in Pakistan.
On Thursday night, Pakistan for the first time charged the Jamat-ud-Dawa chief under the anti-terrorism act, for making anti-state sermons and collecting donations for a charity that funds terrorists.
The move comes after concerted pressure on Islamabad from India, and more importantly, the United States.
Though Prime Minister Manmohan Singh too has confirmed "forward movement" on the issue, Saeed is yet to be accused for any role in the events of 26/11. "Saeed has not been charged for his alleged masterminding of the Mumbai Attacks, even though India believes it has given Pakistan enough evidence to investigate his role," US Ambassador to India Tim Roemer said on Friday.
On a visit to the United States last week, Home Minister P Chidambaram carried a dossier on Saeed's role in the attacks. Discussing the evidence with NDTV, he said, "Firstly, we know when and where Saeed first met Kasab, we know what he told Kasab and the other trainees, and we know at at least a couple of places where the training took place. We also know that it was Saeed who gave the final instructions and made the farewell call to the attackers. In the face of such evidence, how can the prosecutor say that he has no leads to continue the investigation. "
But it is still unclear whether the charges against Saeed will result in a final conviction. India and Pakistan's foreign ministers are expected to meet in New York next week, during the UN General Assembly Session. Pakistan has said it doesn't expect significant progress in the talks, but Saeed's arrest could well help break the current deadlock between New Delhi and Islamabad.
In December 2008, Saeed was put under house arrest, but in June this year, he was released after a Pakistani court ruled there was no evidence that linked him to the 26/11 attacks.