Pakistan claims to have arrested one of the alleged Mumbai ringleaders, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, at a Lashkar i Tayyiba camp in Pakistan. The Washington Post notes the camp is officially run by Jamaat-ud-Dawa, an aid organization with ties to Lashkar. Jim Arkedis draws three inferences:
– the link between the LeT and ISI is (was?) pretty strong. How else would ISI know right where the LeT and Lakhvi are?
– that the Pakistani government is actually starting to control the ISI a bit. Historically, there were two governments in Pakistan – the civilian and military/security services. Perhaps Zardari is compelling the ISI to follow his orders in the face of massive international pressure.
– that the LeT miscalculated. They felt comfortable enough to remain in the same place because they didn't think the Pakistani government would bow to US/Indian demands.
If this is right, it's good news – but the New York Times suggests ISI has helpedLashkar through the years, and Pakistan is not turning over suspects.
So this is an encouraging development, but ISI has always been reputed to be very closely tied to violent extremist groups in Pakistan. India and the West will reasonably want to see more action – and perhaps closest to our hearts here, justice for the victims of the attack.
