Krishna welcomes US 10 million dollar bounty on Hafiz Saeed

New Delhi, Apr 3 (ANI): External Affair Minister S M Krishna on Tuesday welcomed the U. S. Government's notification of a bounty of 10 million dollars Lashker-e-Taiba founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, saying it would send a strong message to the terrorists.

"India welcomes this new initiative of US. This sends a strong message for the perpetrators of terrorism. This shows that international community stands united in fight against terrorism," said Krishna.

Indicating Saeed to be hiding in Pakistan, Krishna further said that US is keep a close watch on Saeed.

"Hafiz Saeed is very safely somewhere in Pakistan. The US keeps a tap on terrorists across the world. I am sure that US is keeping track of Saeed as well. These conspirators cannot be spared. I have always raised this at the bilateral talks," he added.

Earlier, MEA spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said Washington's decision reflected the commitment of India and the United States to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack to justice and continuing efforts to combat terrorism

"India welcomes the notification under the Rewards for Justice programme. It reflects the commitment of India and the United States to bring the perpetrators of the Mumbai terrorist attack to justice and continuing efforts to combat terrorism. It also sends a strong signal to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as also its members and patrons that the international community remains united in combating terrorism," said Akbaruddin.

India has consistently claimed Saeed to be the key plotter in the November 26, 2008 terror attack in Mumbai.

Saeed founded Lashkar-e-Taiba in the 1980s, allegedly with Pakistani support to pressure India over the disputed territory of Kashmir. Pakistan banned the group under pressure from the US in 2002.

The US has also announced a bounty of US two million dollars on Saeed's brother Hafiz Adbul Rahman Makki. (ANI)