Pakistani security forces arrest group commander blamed for Mumbai attack

Source: Xinhua | 12-09-2008 07:55

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces have arrested operational commander of a banned group, blamed by India for Mumbai attacks, local press reports said Monday.

Candles and flowers placed for victims of the Mumbai attacks are seen in front of the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai November 30, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

India has blamed "Lashkar-e-Taiba" for attacks in its commercial center, which killed nearly 180 people and injured over 300.

Lashkar-e-Taiba is using new name "Jamaat-ud-Daawa" after it was banned in 2002.

Zaki-ur-Rehamn Lakhvi, chief operational commander of the group, was arrested during a crackdown launched by the Pakistani army near Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, Sunday, according to the private Geo TV.

The survived attacker of the Mumbai operation has reportedly told Indian investigators that Lakhvi had sent them for the attacks.

"The Pakistani security forces have raided our camp and have arrested some of our activists," an official of the group was quoted as saying.

Lashkar-e-Taiba has denied any hand in the Mumbai attacks.

The reports quoted sources as saying that the security forces launched crackdown against the group in the Showai area, some five kilometers from Muzaffarabad, Sunday afternoon.

There has been no response from the government.