NIA Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Hafiz Saeed, Says Arrest Essential in Pahalgam Terror Probe

A Special NIA Court in Jammu has ruled that the arrest and custodial interrogation of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder and designated terrorist Hafiz Muhammad Saeed are essential for conducting a fair, comprehensive, and effective investigation into a terror-related case. Acting on an application filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) under Section 75 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the court issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Saeed.

Special Judge Prem Sagar noted that Saeed, listed as Accused No. 8 in the FIR, must be taken into custody to ensure a thorough investigation. The court directed that the non-bailable warrant be forwarded to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the NIA in Jammu for execution in accordance with the law.

The NIA informed the court that it has already filed a supplementary chargesheet in the case. According to the agency, Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, a resident of Sargodha in Pakistan's Punjab province, is a designated terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, and the founder of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. The agency stated that Saeed is currently based in Pakistan and has been deliberately evading arrest, making the issuance of an open-dated non-bailable warrant necessary for the continuation of legal proceedings and the investigation.

After reviewing the submissions made by the investigating officer and examining the application, the court accepted the NIA's request and disposed of the plea. The case has been registered under Sections 147, 148, 149, 150 and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 38, 39 and 40 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

The investigation relates to the April 22, 2025, terrorist attack at Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists opened fire on civilians, killing 26 people, including several tourists. The NIA, which is leading the investigation, alleges that the attack was planned and directed by Pakistan-based operatives of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba. In its supplementary chargesheet, the agency has named Hafiz Muhammad Saeed as Accused No. 8, accusing him of being part of the larger conspiracy behind the deadly assault.