India on Thursday reacted sharply to a Pakistani  court’s order to release JuD chief Hafiz Saeed from house arrest, saying it was outraged that a self-confessed and UN proscribed terrorist was being allowed to walk free and pursue his evil agenda.

“It is evident that Pakistan has not changed its policy of shielding and supporting non-state actors and it’s true face is visible for all to see,’’ External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said at a media briefing here.

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It was the responsibility of the Pakistan government to fulfill its international obligations and take effective and credible action against terrorists like Saeed, he added.

Describing the Jamaat-u-Dawah chief as not only the mastermind but the prime organiser of the Mumbai terror attack in which both innocent Indians and foreigners were killed, the spokesperson said his release order appeared to be an attempt by the Pakistani system to ‘mainstream’ proscribed terrorists.  Saeed was also responsible for unleashing numerous other terror attacks against Pakistan’s neighbours, he said.

‘’His release confirms the lack of seriousness on the part of the Pakistan government to bring to justice perpetrators of heinous acts of terrorism, including by individuals and entities designated by the UN,’’ the spokesperson added. He did not agree with a suggestion that the release of Saeed by the Pakistani court was the result of the US showing softness in dealing with the JuD. ‘’We are on the same page as far as fighting the scourge of terrorism is concerned,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, India has confirmed that it had asked Islamabad to allow both the wife and mother of Kulbhushan Jadhav to travel to Pakistan and meet the former Indian Navy officer, who is on death row there on charges of espionage.