A Special NIA Court in Jammu has issued an open-dated non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in connection with the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, most of them tourists.
The order, passed on July 8 and reported on July 14, came after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Saeed as the key conspirator behind the attack.
The agency argued that Saeed, who remains in Pakistan, has been deliberately evading arrest and sought the warrant to advance legal proceedings. The court observed that his arrest and custodial interrogation were necessary for a “fair, complete and effective investigation”.
Officials indicated that the warrant could pave the way for declaring him a proclaimed offender and initiating a trial in absentia under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), as extradition from Pakistan is considered unlikely.
Legal Action Intensifies
According to the supplementary chargesheet filed on July 6, the NIA has accused the 76-year-old LeT founder of masterminding the cross-border conspiracy that culminated in the deadly attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam.
The agency has booked Saeed under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), alleging that he acted both personally and in his capacity as chief of the banned LeT and its proxy outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF). Seeking the warrant, the NIA told the court that Saeed was residing in Pakistan, deliberately avoiding arrest, and that an open-dated NBW was necessary to facilitate further investigation and legal proceedings.
Accepting the request, the Special Judge observed that Saeed’s arrest and custodial interrogation were essential for a comprehensive probe. Investigators have also stated that all practical avenues for securing his extradition have been exhausted, making trial in absentia a likely legal course if he continues to evade Indian courts.
Background And Investigation
The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, remains one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, claiming the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, and escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The NIA has described the assault as part of a larger cross-border conspiracy allegedly orchestrated by Pakistan-based terror operatives. Before naming Saeed, the agency had chargesheeted several other accused, including Pakistani terrorists and alleged local collaborators. Investigators maintain that Saeed played a central role in planning and directing the attack, adding to allegations already linked to his involvement in previous terrorist attacks against India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The latest warrant is part of the agency’s broader effort to establish legal accountability for those accused of orchestrating terrorism from outside India’s borders, even when their physical custody remains beyond immediate reach.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Terrorism inflicts irreparable pain on victims, families and communities, making accountability through due process essential. While legal action against those accused of orchestrating such attacks is a vital part of delivering justice, lasting peace also depends on strengthening institutions, international cooperation against terrorism, and safeguarding the rule of law.
Judicial processes must remain transparent, evidence-based and fair, reinforcing public confidence while ensuring that violence is never normalised or justified. At the same time, efforts to prevent radicalisation, protect civilians and promote dialogue remain crucial to building a more secure and humane future.
How can the international community work more effectively to ensure that those accused of cross-border terrorism face justice while advancing peace and stability in the region?
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