India Formally Asks Pakistan To Extradite 26/11 Mastermind Hafiz Saeed: Reports

New Delhi: The Indian government has formally requested Pakistan to extradite Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the alleged mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, according to reports in the media. The Ministry of External Affairs has sent an official request to Pakistan, urging them to initiate the legal process for Saeed’s extradition.

Hafiz Saeed is among India’s most wanted terrorists, with a $10 million bounty placed by the US for his suspected involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. India has persistently sought his extradition, but the absence of an extradition treaty between the two countries has complicated the process.

Despite maintaining his innocence and denying leadership within LeT, Saeed has encountered various legal challenges. Initially arrested in July 2019, he received an 11-year sentence shortly before Pakistan’s review by the Financial Action Task Force. In April of the following year, a Pakistani court reportedly sentenced Saeed to 31 years in prison for terrorism financing. However, his current incarceration status remains unclear, as conflicting reports suggest he may be a free man after being released from house arrest in 2017. Saeed has experienced multiple arrests and releases over the past decade.

Last year, India designated Hafiz Saeed’s son, Talha Saeed, as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). Notably, Talha Saeed is now gearing up to participate in the upcoming general elections in Pakistan under the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political party established by his father.