A senior Pakistani police official has said Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, blamed by India for masterminding the Mumbai attacks, is not under arrest or protective custody, adding to the confusion over his status, just two days ahead of meeting of foreign ministers of the two countries in United States.

Punjab police chief Tariq Saleem Dogar has said, Saeed is not under arrest or house arrest and he has also not been placed in protective custody. Saeed has only been advised and requested to restrict his movements for the sake of his own safety and security, Dogar told a news conference in Rawalpindi on Thursday.