Hafiz Saeed In Pakistan, NIA Tells Jammu Court; Secures 2nd Non-Bailable Warrant

Jammu, Sep 12: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed, India’s most-wanted terrorist, is in Pakistan, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) told a Special Court in Jammu while seeking and securing a second non-bailable warrant (NBW) against him in two months in a terror case linked to the supply of weapons, funds and directions to terror groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

The court was hearing an application filed by the NIA seeking an NBW against Saeed under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Saeed, a designated terrorist and resident of Sargodha in Punjab, Pakistan, was described in the application as an “absconding accused” in a case arising from the arrest of Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat during a checking operation at Pandach on the outskirts of Srinagar earlier this year.

A China-made grenade and 15 live rounds were recovered from Bhat, a resident of Batpora. He was subsequently booked at Zakoora Police Station under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Arms Act and the Explosive Substances Act.

The investigation that followed led to the busting of a terror network and the arrest of several more terrorists associated with LeT and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), besides two Pakistani nationals.

The NIA told the court that Saeed’s involvement came to light during the investigation and that the arrested Pakistani terrorists were allegedly associated with him. Describing him as the “Amir/Chief/Founder” of the proscribed terror group, the agency said Saeed was operating from Pakistan and providing weapons, money and directions to terrorists in the Kashmir Valley.

“The information is gathered that the said terrorist at present is in Pakistan and deliberately evading his arrest to escape the clutches of law,” the NIA submitted.

After hearing the agency, Special Judge under the NIA Act Prem Sagar, on September 8, observed that Saeed’s involvement had surfaced during the investigation and that he was “allegedly involved in terrorism”.

The court noted that Saeed was at large and that the investigating agency had been unable to secure his attendance “in the ordinary manner”. It consequently issued a general non-bailable warrant against him.

The latest warrant is the second NBW issued against the LeT founder by the Special NIA Court in Jammu within two months. On July 8, the court had issued the first NBW against Saeed in connection with the April Pahalgam terror attack that killed 25 tourists and a local. (Agencies)