Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Mohd Saeed, allegedly linked to last year's Mumbai terror attacks, was set free on Tuesday by the Lahore High Court, triggering an angry response from India which accused Pakistan of not being serious about fighting terror.

59-year-old Saeed, who has been under house arrest since December 11, was ordered to be released immediately by the High Court which held his detention as illegal.

India voiced its disappointment over Saeed's release, saying it raises serious doubts over Pakistan's sincerity in acting with determination against terrorist groups and individuals operating from its territory.

"These actions by Pakistan raise questions about sincerity of Pakistan's investigations into the conspiracy that planned, launched and executed the terrorist attack on Mumbai," the External Affairs Ministry spokesman said in Delhi.

JuD is Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba's front organisation.

A close aide of 59-year-old Saeed, Col (retd) Nazir Mohammad, also held in connection with the November 26 attacks in Mumbai, was freed alongwith Saeed by the High Court.

In a brief order, a three-member bench of the High Court said, "The court accepts the petition of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Col (retd) Nazir Ahmed against their detention, which is illegal. The court orders their immediate release." A detailed order will be pronounced later.

JuD activists, who gathered at the court, began shouting slogans in support of Saeed following the order. A JuD spokesman hailed the verdict and said the organisation will continue its "relief activities".

Saeed, also founder of the LeT, was put under house arrest on December 11 last year after the UN Security Council banned JUD, declaring it a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is blamed by India for the Mumbai attacks that left 160 people dead.

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