Hafiz Saeed's claims increases Pakistan's difficulties

Pakistan is currently under tremendous pressure as terrorist Bahadur Ali is caught alive by the Indian Armed Forces and is being interrogated by NIA, New Delhi. Hafiz Saeed has claimed Lashkar-e-Taiba to be at the forefront in causing unrest in Kashmir, post the encounter of Burhan Wani. Hafiz Saeed has claimed that the head of Lashkar-e-Taiba was leading the funeral procession of Burhan Wani.

“Burhan Wani was martyred. Lakhs of Kashmiris came to the streets to attend his funeral. Did you see a man who was being carried on shoulders by the crowd? Do you know this youth who was leading the procession? Do you know who he is? He is ‘ameer’ of LeT. Several people from Faisalabad went to Kashmir to join the protest against India, few of them have sacrificed their lives” said Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Also that the Kashmiri separatist leader, Asiya Andrabi, is in touch and with their support the unrest in Kashmir has been caused, as claimed by Hafiz Saeed.

The claims made by Hafiz Saeed are in public and it is difficult for Pakistan to deny. Hafiz Saeed, the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), which is seen as a front group for the outlawed Lashkar-e-Taiba, has been behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. Pakistan has always proclaimed Hafiz Saeed to be a social worker, however with such public statements, it would be difficult for Pakistan to sustain their backing to Hafiz Saeed. At the same time India, US and other international agencies will increase pressure on Pakistan to take action on Hafiz Saeed.