Court Acts on NIA’s Request
In a significant development in the investigation into the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, a Jammu court has issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed, following allegations by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) that he orchestrated the deadly strike.
The order moves the case a step closer to a trial in absentia, a legal process that allows court proceedings to continue even if an accused remains outside India and refuses to appear before the court.
NIA Names Saeed as Alleged Mastermind
The NIA recently filed a supplementary chargesheet naming Hafiz Saeed as an accused in the April 22, 2025 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, lost their lives.
Seeking the warrant, the agency informed the court that Saeed was deliberately avoiding arrest and remained in Pakistan, making his appearance before an Indian court impossible.
The NIA argued that all available legal options to secure his extradition had been exhausted and requested the court to allow further legal proceedings.
Cross-Border Conspiracy Under Investigation
According to the agency, the attack was allegedly planned from Pakistan, with Saeed playing a central role in the conspiracy. Investigators have also linked him to several previous terror attacks targeting India.
The probe into the wider cross-border network behind the Pahalgam attack is continuing.
What Trial in Absentia Means
Under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Indian courts can conduct a trial in absentia when an accused remains outside the country, deliberately evades judicial proceedings and sufficient evidence exists to prosecute serious offences.
Before initiating such proceedings, courts must issue summons and warrants. If the accused still fails to appear, they may be declared a proclaimed offender, allowing the trial to continue without their presence.
Earlier Chargesheet Named Other Accused
In its earlier chargesheet, the NIA named three Pakistani nationals—Suleman, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani—along with Pakistan-based LeT operative Sajid Saifullah Jatt and two residents of Pahalgam, Bashir Hai Ahmed and Parvez Ahmed, in connection with the case.
The agency said investigations are ongoing to identify the complete network involved in planning and executing one of Jammu and Kashmir’s deadliest terror attacks in recent years.
Q1. Why has the Jammu court issued a non-bailable warrant against Hafiz Saeed?
The warrant was issued after the NIA alleged that Hafiz Saeed masterminded the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack and was deliberately avoiding arrest.
Q2. What happened in the Pahalgam terror attack?
The April 22, 2025 attack killed 26 people, most of them tourists, in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
Q3. What is a trial in absentia?
It is a legal process that allows a court to proceed with a criminal trial even when the accused remains outside India and refuses to appear.
Q4. Why can’t Hafiz Saeed be produced before the court?
According to the NIA, Saeed is in Pakistan and efforts to secure his extradition have not been successful.
Q5. Is the investigation complete?
No. The NIA has said investigations into the broader cross-border conspiracy are still underway.
