Top Lashker-e-Tayiba operatives, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah arrested yesterday for their links to the Mumbai attacks by Pakistani authorities, were today remanded by an anti-terrorism judge to police custody for 14 days.
With this, the total number of suspects remanded to the custody of law enforcement agencies has gone up to four.
LeT activist Hamad Amin Sadiq, described by Pakistani officials as the "main operator" behind the attacks, was remanded to custody of the Federal Investigation Agency on Monday.
Though interior ministry chief Rehman Malik had announced the detention of the three men -- Lakhvi, Zarar Shah alias Abdul Wajid and Abu Al Qama -- along with other suspects on February 12, police officials told the judge that they were only arrested yesterday in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Police charged the three LeT operatives with conspiracy and facilitating and collaborating in the attacks. Lakhvi, Zarar Shah and Abu Al Qama were produced before an anti-terrorism court judge who remanded them to police custody for a fortnight, TV channels quoted court and government officials as saying.
The attorney general acknowledged that Kasab is an important suspect and his presence will make the prosecution's case "very strong". He also said if India provides more evidence, it will be easier for the Pakistani prosecution to prove cases against suspects detained within the country.
Deputy Attorney General Sardar Mohammad Ghazi had sparked a controversy yesterday by claiming that Pakistan had formally sought custody of Kasab from India.
The foreign office clarified that no formal request had been made so far. Ghazi, who was on Thursday appointed special public prosecutor for the prosecution of suspects detained in Pakistan, later said authorities were considering a proposal to seek custody of Kasab.
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