Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan, Directing Kashmir Terror Activities, NIA Tells Court

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has secured a second non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed in two months, with the agency telling a Special Court here that the designated terrorist is currently operating from Pakistan and allegedly directing terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

The NIA sought the warrant under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), describing Saeed, a resident of Sargodha in Pakistan's Punjab province, as an absconding accused in a case involving the supply of weapons, funds and directions to terror groups operating in the Union Territory.

The case began with the arrest of Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat during a security check at Pandach on the outskirts of Srinagar. A China-made grenade and 15 live rounds were recovered from Bhat, a resident of Batpora. He was subsequently booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Arms Act and Explosive Substances Act.

The investigation later led to the busting of a wider terror network, with several alleged terrorists linked to LeT and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), arrested along with two Pakistani nationals.

The NIA told the court that Saeed's involvement surfaced during the probe and that the arrested Pakistani nationals were allegedly associated with him. According to the agency, Saeed is providing weapons, money and directions to terrorists operating in the Kashmir Valley while deliberately evading arrest.

Special Judge under the NIA Act Prem Sagar, after hearing the agency on September 8, observed that Saeed's involvement had emerged during the investigation and that he was allegedly involved in terrorism. The court noted that authorities had been unable to secure his attendance through ordinary means and issued a general NBW.

The latest warrant is the second against Saeed in two months. On July 8, the court had issued another NBW against him in connection with the April Pahalgam terror attack, in which 25 tourists and a local resident were killed.