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Pakistan prosecution to appeal bail for Mumbai terror suspect

Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, is being detained under a "maintenance of public order."

By JC Finley
A vigil is held at the Gateway of India after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Photo by Nicholas/CC
A vigil is held at the Gateway of India after the November 2008 Mumbai attacks. Photo by Nicholas/CC

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Prosecutors have decided to appeal a Pakistani anti-terrorism court's decision to grant bail to Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the alleged mastermind of the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

At the time of the three-day assault on the Indian city, Lakhvi was reportedly head of the banned Laskhar-iTaiba (LeT) militant group. He and six others are awaiting trial on charges of planning and carrying out the attacks.

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The court's decision on Thursday enraged many, especially as it immediately followed Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's vow "to continue the war against terrorism till the last terrorist is eliminated."

An anti-terror court on Thursday ordered Lakhvi to pay a Rs500,000 ($4,978.35) surety bond as a condition of his release.

It is unclear on what ground the court decided to grant Lakhvi's petition for bail.

The Indian government criticized the court's decision and urged prosecutors to appeal.

"Pakistan needs to show more seriousness in taking 26/11 case to trial to its logical conclusion," India's Home Ministry said in a statement.

Lakhvi is being detained under a "maintenance of public order."

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