Both India, Pakistan responsible for Lakhvi's unfortunate release, claims JD-U

Janata Dal (United) leader K.C. Tyagi on Saturday said both India and Pakistan were responsible for the unfortunate release of alleged Mumbai attack mastermind Zaki-ur Rehman Lakhvi.

"This is very sad news. Both India and Pakistan are responsible for Lakhvi's release. The Indian Government should have put pressure," Tyagi told ANI.

"The Pakistan Government cannot run away from its mindset and responsibilities," he added.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Nalin Kohli accused Pakistan of double standards.

The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) had earlier on Friday blamed India for the unwanted delay in the prosecution of Lakhvi, saying that New Delhi's failure to extend cooperation to Islamabad had complicated the case and weakened the prosecution.

"Case of Mumbai attack suspects is sub-judice. It would not be proper to cast aspersions on Pakistan's commitment to countering terrorism at a time when Pakistan has entered a critical stage of defeating the menace of terrorism," she added.

Indian High Commissioner T C A Raghavan had on Friday met Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhary in Islamabad and registered the Indian Government's strong objections to the Lahore High Court's decision to release Lakhvi.

On Thursday, the Lahore High Court had struck down the detention order of Lakhvi and ordered his release.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Lakhvi challenging his fourth one-month detention ordered by the Okara DCO on March 14

The court ordered his release based on the lack of reliable information, but directed the accused to pay 20 lakh rupees in surety bonds before his release from Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail.

Lakhvi is among the seven people charged with planning and carrying out the the November 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.