Hafiz Saeed Faces Second NIA Warrant
Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed has come under fresh legal pressure in India, with the National Investigation Agency telling a Special NIA Court in Jammu that the wanted terrorist is currently in Pakistan and remains beyond the reach of Indian authorities.
The court has issued a second non-bailable warrant against Saeed within two months. The latest warrant relates to an investigation into an alleged terror network involved in supplying weapons, financing militants and passing instructions to terrorist groups active in Jammu and Kashmir.
The investigation began after security personnel arrested Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat during a checking operation at Pandach, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Weapons and Ammunition Recovered
According to the investigation, authorities recovered a China-made grenade and 15 live rounds from Bhat, a resident of Batpora. A case was subsequently registered at Zakoora Police Station under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act.
As investigators expanded the probe, they allegedly uncovered a wider network involving members linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and its offshoot, The Resistance Front. Several suspects were arrested during the investigation, including two Pakistani nationals.
The NIA subsequently told the court that evidence gathered during the probe had allegedly established Saeed’s connection with the network.
NIA Says Saeed Is Operating From Pakistan
In its submission before the court, the agency alleged that Saeed continues to operate from Pakistan and is involved in directing terrorist activities in the Kashmir Valley.
“Saeed is operating from Pakistan and providing weapons, money and directions to terrorists operating in the Kashmir Valley,” the NIA told the court. The agency further said that information indicated that he was in Pakistan and was deliberately avoiding arrest.
The NIA described Saeed, a resident of Sargodha in Pakistan’s Punjab province, as an absconding accused in the case.
Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant
Special Judge under the NIA Act Prem Sagar considered the agency’s application on September 8. The court noted that Saeed’s alleged involvement had emerged during the investigation and that he was “allegedly involved in terrorism”.
The court also observed that Saeed was at large and that investigators had been unable to secure his presence through the ordinary legal process. It subsequently issued a general non-bailable warrant against him.
Second Warrant in Two Months
The latest order marks the second time in two months that the Special NIA Court in Jammu has issued a non-bailable warrant against the LeT founder.
The first warrant was issued on July 8 in connection with the investigation into the April Pahalgam terror attack. The attack left 26 people dead, including 25 tourists and a local resident.
The latest case, meanwhile, focuses on an alleged terror network accused of moving weapons and funds and facilitating directions from Pakistan to terrorist operatives in Jammu and Kashmir.
