Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein: JuD chief

Lashkar-e-Tayiba operations chief Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and six others, being tried in an anti-terror court for their involvement in the Mumbai attacks, were arrested by the Pakistani authorities with the 'sole purpose of pleasing' India, Jamat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed has claimed.

"The truth is that the (Pakistan) government arrested various leaders who endorse Jihad in Kashmir and did so for the sole purpose of pleasing India. These leaders are now enduring in-camera hearings in (an) anti-terrorism court," he alleged, in a letter written on the first anniversary of the 26/11 attacks, to TV anchor Hamid Mir.

Lakhvi and six others were indicted by the anti- terror court in Rawalpindi for their role in planning and helping execute the attacks. All the accused have pleaded not guilty.

Saeed added, "My real crime is that I vociferously and comprehensively highlight the Kashmir issue. Kashmir is Pakistan's jugular vein and we can never close our eyes to it."

Though India and the United States had succeeded in getting the United Nations Security Council to impose restrictions on the JuD, the group has submitted a "formal request for de-listing in accordance with the rules of the UNSC," Saeed claimed.

He said the UNSC and the European Union had "contacted us for further clarifications. Our case is still pending at the UNSC."