Mumbai attack case: Pak drops charges against ex-LeT militant

From M Zulqernain Lahore, Sep 9 (PTI) A former LeT militant, arrested lastmonth for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack,has been absolved by Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agencywhich says "no allegation has been proved against him." Sufayan Zafar was accused of financing Rs 14,800 forMumbai attack and providing Rs 3.98 million to co-accusedShahid Jameel Riaz prior to the attack. "The FIA has found no evidence against Zafar duringinvestigation," an official of FIA said. He said the allegation that he had financed one of thearrested suspects in Mumbai case could not be proved afterthorough investigation. The official said: "Zafar’s role in providing finances toa Mumbai attacks suspect(s) has not been established." He said Zafar would not be charge-sheeted in the courtfor alleged allegations. "FIA will submit a challan in thetrial court in this regard on next hearing on September 22 butwill not frame charges against him," the official said. Zafar was hiding after being declared proclaimed offenderin the Mumbai case. He was arrested early last month from hishideout in Kyber-Pakhtaunkhawa province. A resident of Gujrawala district of Punjab, some 80kmfrom Lahore, Zafar is among 21 other (absconding) suspectswanted in this high-profile case. Six other suspects – Abdul Wajid, Mazhar Iqbal, HammadAmin Sadiq, Shahid Jameel Riaz, Jamil Ahmed and Younus Anjum –have been lodged in the Adiyala Jail Rrawalpindi since 2009for abetment to murder, attempted murder, planning andexecuting the Mumbai attacks. Prime suspect LeT operations commander Zakiur RehmanLakhvi, believed to be the mastermind of the Mumbai attacks,has been in hiding after getting bail over a year ago. Some 166 people were killed in the attack carried out by10 LeT men. Nine terrorists were killed while lone survivorAjmal Kasab was captured and later executed. PTI MZ ZH AKJZH