NIA court issues non-bailable warrant against LeT founder Hafiz Saeed

A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Jammu has issued a non-bailable arrest warrant against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed in a case related to “providing weapons, money and directions to terrorists operating in Kashmir valley”.

“Keeping in view the fact that the accused person is at large and the investigating agency has not been able to procure his attendance ordinarily, this motion is allowed. As such a general warrant of arrest (non-bailable) is issued against the accused Hafiz Muhammad Saeed alias Hafiz Muhammad Sahib alias Hafiz Mohd Sayid, a resident of Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan, and is forwarded to DIG (Deputy Inspector General), NIA Jammu for execution of the warrant as per procedure prescribed under law,” reads the Court order.  

The Court order came as the NIA moved an instant application for issuance of a non-bailable warrant under Sector 75 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against “absconding accused Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who is designated terrorist as per IVth schedule under Section 35 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA)”. 

According to the NIA, the “amir/chief/founder of the proscribed terrorist organisation LeT was operating from Pakistan and providing weapons, money and directions to terrorists operating in Kashmir valley”. 

“The information is gathered that the said terrorist at present is in Pakistan and deliberately evading his arrest to escape from the clutches of law. Therefore, the NIA prays for issuance of non-bailable warrant of arrest against him to initiate further proceedings in the matter,” pleaded the NIA.  

The investigating agency referred to a case registered this year where a person was arrested during checking at Gujar Tent Pandach in Ganderbal by the J&K Police.

“During a personal search of the rider, one Chinese grenade and 15 live rounds and cartridges were recovered from him. On preliminary questioning, the said person disclosed his name as Mohammad Naqeeb Bhat, a resident of Fazal Haq Colony, Batpora, Srinagar. He failed to produce any valid justification for possessing the arms and ammunition,” the NIA said.

Accordingly, FIR No. 24/2026 under Section 23 UAPA, under Section 7/25 of Arms Act, 1959 and under Section 4 of Explosive Substance Act, 1908 was registered in the Police Station Zakoora.

“During the course of investigation conducted so far, it came to light that the arrested Pakistani terrorists have been found to be associated with LeT/The Resistance Front (TRF),” the NIA said.