The United States announcement of a USD 10 million (Rs 52 cr) bounty on Mumbai terror attack mastermind and Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed, who roams freely in Pakistan, is a proof that the neighbouring country harbours terrorists, Union Home Secretary R K Singh said on Tuesday.
"I think it has become clear before the world and everybody recognises that a terror mastermind, who was instrumental in terror attacks, is being sheltered and harboured there (Pakistan)," Singh told reporters when asked about the US reward.
He said the home ministry welcomed the US government decision which was going to put pressure on Pakistan to act against Saeed.
"We welcome it. It is a very good step. It is absolutely appropriate and necessary. I hope this move will add pressure on Pakistan to act," he said.
Late on Monday night, the US government announced an award of up to USD 10 million for information leading to arrest and conviction of Saeed and upto USD two million (Rs 10.4 cr) for Hafiz Adbul Rahman Makki, his jihad financier brother-in-law under the Rewards for Justice programme, for information on the two terrorists.
Saeed, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attack and several other terrorist acts in the country, is one of the most wanted in India.
