Key facts
- India's anti-terrorism agency filed charges against Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
- The charges relate to an attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir last year that killed 26 people.
- India alleges the perpetrators were Pakistani nationals backed by Islamabad.
- Saeed is accused of playing a role in the attack and Pakistan's alleged conspiracy.
- Saeed is currently imprisoned in Pakistan on terrorism financing charges.
India's anti-terrorism agency has filed charges against Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in connection with an attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir last year. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people.
New Delhi has stated that the perpetrators of the attack were Pakistani nationals supported by Islamabad, though Pakistan has denied involvement and requested an independent investigation. Indian forces reported killing three militants, whom they identified as Pakistanis involved in the attack, in July of the previous year.
In December, India's National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already charged LeT, its affiliate The Resistance Front (TRF), and six other individuals regarding the incident. TRF initially claimed responsibility for the attack before retracting its claim days later.
The NIA announced on Monday that Saeed is charged in his individual capacity, as well as for his leadership role in both LeT and TRF. The charges encompass "details of Pakistan’s conspiracy," Saeed’s involvement, and evidence gathered through scientific and on-ground investigations.
Saeed, who founded LeT around 1990, has led the group and its successor organizations since. He is also implicated in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which claimed 166 lives over three days. He has been incarcerated in Pakistan since 2020, following a conviction for terrorism financing charges.