‘Face the law’: India moves to serve Hafiz Saeed summons in Pahalgam attack case

Twenty-seven people were killed at Pahalgam, and now India is taking the next legal step against one of the key accused in the conspiracy.

The Indian government is preparing to send court summons for Pakistan-based terrorist leader Hafiz Saeed to Islamabad through diplomatic channels in the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack case, sources told NDTV.

The move is aimed at formally placing on record that Saeed was allowed to appear before the court and present his case.

Once the summons process is completed, the next legal step could be declaring him a Proclaimed Offender.

Under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, investigation, trial, or judgment against a person declared a Proclaimed Offender can proceed in their absence, subject to the law.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named Saeed as an accused in the conspiracy case linked to the Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, where 27 people were killed.

A special NIA court in Jammu has already issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

The summons will be routed to Pakistan's Foreign Ministry through India's Ministry of External Affairs.

The process follows the issuance of the non-bailable warrant and is intended to formally serve the court's order on the absconding accused in Pakistan.

The NIA has highlighted Saeed's alleged role as a leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front, also known as TRF.

No extradition pact, diplomatic route

The legal move comes against the backdrop of strained India-Pakistan ties and the absence of an extradition arrangement between the two countries.

India has designated Saeed as a global and individual terrorist under its anti-terror laws, while the United States has also designated him as a terrorist.

An Interpol Red Corner Notice has been issued against him. Pakistan has maintained that Saeed, 76, is in custody in Lahore following his conviction in terror-financing cases.

Indian agencies, however, have repeatedly alleged that elements within Pakistan's security establishment have sought to shield terrorists such as Saeed from broader international action by pointing to his prosecution in Pakistan.

By sending the summons through diplomatic channels, India is now seeking to establish that the accused was formally allowed to participate in the proceedings before further steps are taken under Indian law.

Similar move in 26/11 case

The legal pressure on Saeed is not limited to the Pahalgam case. Mumbai Police has also approached the Union Home Ministry seeking to serve court proclamation orders through Interpol against six absconding accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, including Saeed and Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.

Special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam submitted an interim report before the special court on Friday regarding the proclamation orders issued in July against the absconding accused.

Nikam said Mumbai Police had written to the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking necessary steps to serve the proclamation orders through Interpol on the accused residing in Pakistan.

According to him, the Ministry acknowledged the request on August 3 and sought time to submit its status.

The court has issued proclamation orders against Saeed, Lakhvi and four other Pakistani nationals accused of being absconders in the 26/11 case: Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha.

With the Pahalgam case now moving towards formal service of summons, India is laying the groundwork for further proceedings against Saeed even in his absence, should he continue to remain beyond the reach of Indian authorities.