Edited By Sangeeta Das
In a recent update, the United Nations has confirmed that Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, is currently in the custody of Pakistan, serving a 78-year imprisonment sentence. This revelation comes as a result of Saeed’s conviction in seven terror financing cases, with his sentence commencing on February 12, 2020.
The UN Security Council Committee, responsible for maintaining lists of individuals and organizations subject to travel bans, arms embargoes, and asset freezes, amended its lists last month. The focus of these sanctions targets Da’esh and ISIL. The narrative summary about Hafiz Saeed became available on the Committee’s website on March 9, 2009, and was updated on December 19, 2023.
The reason cited for Saeed’s listing dates back to December 10, 2008, under resolution 1822 (2008). He was associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Al Qaeda for “participating in the financing, planning, facilitating, preparing, or perpetrating acts or activities in conjunction with, under the name of, on behalf or in support of” both entities.
As the leader and chief of LeT, Hafiz Saeed played a pivotal role in the operational and fundraising activities of the terrorist organization. Despite being designated a terrorist by the UN and EU in the 2000s, Saeed had not faced charges or extradition until recent developments.
In April 2022, a special anti-terrorism court in Lahore sentenced Saeed to a 33-year jail term for “financing terrorism.” He has been in jail since July 17, 2019, and is wanted in Bharat for his role in numerous cases, including his orchestration of the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
While Bharat has officially requested Saeed’s extradition, Pakistan contends that there is no bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries. The UN’s confirmation sheds light on Saeed’s current status and underscores the international community’s stance on combating terrorism.
