NIA Court Issues Non-Bailable Warrant Against Hafiz Saeed

A special NIA court in Jammu has issued a fresh non-bailable warrant against Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and designated terrorist Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in connection with a terror funding and arms supply case linked to terrorist activities in Kashmir.

This is reportedly the second non-bailable warrant issued against Saeed by the Jammu NIA court in less than two months.

According to the investigation agency, Saeed, who is based in Pakistan, has allegedly been involved in providing financial assistance, weapons and instructions to terrorists operating in the Kashmir Valley.

The court, while allowing the NIA's application, observed that the accused is currently absconding and that investigators have been unable to secure his presence through normal legal procedures. The court consequently directed that a general non-bailable warrant be issued against Hafiz Muhammad Saeed and forwarded to the NIA Jammu top official for execution in accordance with the law.

The NIA informed the court that Saeed, a terrorist designated under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, is the founder of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba and is operating from Pakistan. The agency further stated that he is currently believed to be in Pakistan and has been deliberately avoiding arrest.

The case originated from the arrest of a suspected terrorist during naka checking at Gujar Tent in Pandach. Security personnel recovered a Chinese-made grenade along with 15 live rounds from his possession.

During preliminary questioning, the accused was identified as Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, a resident of Srinagar.

Following the recovery, an FIR was registered at Zakoora Police Station under Section 23 of the UAPA, Sections 7/25 of the Arms Act and Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act.

The latest warrant comes after an earlier warrant issued by the Jammu NIA court in July in a separate case concerning the Pahalgam terror attack, in which the NIA had alleged Saeed's involvement as a key conspirator