Restricted movement for 26/11 mastermind

Pakistani police today restricted the movement of Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks, and barred him from leading Eid prayers here citing "security concerns".  

Security was beefed up outside Saeed's residence in Johar Town area here late last night. TV channels reported that he has been placed under house arrest but there was no official word on it.

Superintendent of Police (Lahore division) Sohail Sukhera said Saeed's movements had been restricted due to concerns for his security.  

"We have only stopped Saeed from offering Eid prayers at a ground near Gaddafi Stadium to ensure his safety and that of his people. We have intelligence information in this regard, which is why we cannot allow him to move freely," Sukhera said.  

59-year-old Saeed, also the founder of the banned Lashker-e-Taiba that has been blamed for the Mumbai attacks, was to have led the Eid prayers at the ground near Gaddafi Stadium. The prayers were led by his son.  

However, Geo News reported that "Saeed has been place under house arrest and police party has been deputed outside his residence to restrict his movement."

The move came three days after police in Faisalabad city registered two First Information Reports under the Anti-Terrorism Act against Saeed for making speeches last month in which he incited people to wage jehad against infidels.  

Asked whether directions had been issued by authorities for Saeed's arrest in connection with two cases registered against him, Sukhera said: "We have no direction whatsoever in this regard. We are only ensuring his security keeping in view terrorist threats."  

Special Superintendent of Police (Faisalabad) Sarfraz Falki too said he had not received any directions from the government for Saeed's arrest. "We will collaborate with Lahore Police when we get directions," he said.

JuD spokesman Yahya Muhajid told reporters that it was an "injustice" that Saeed had not been allowed to offer Eid prayers at the place of his choice.  

He claimed that the Pakistan Government was taking action against him due to pressure from the US and India.  

Mujahid said there was "no formal order" either to place Saeed under house arrest or restrict his movements.

Saeed was placed under house arrest in December last year after the JuD was declared a terrorist organisation by the UN Security Council. He was freed on the orders of the Lahore High Court in June.  

The federal and Punjab governments filed appeals against the High Court's order in the Supreme Court but the matter is yet to be listed for hearing.