India Seeks Extradition of Mumbai Attack Mastermind from Pakistan

India has officially requested the extradition of Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, from Pakistan. Saeed, a UN-designated terrorist, faces multiple charges in India related to various terror cases.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed sending the extradition request and relevant documents to Pakistan, seeking the handover of Saeed, whom Indian investigative agencies want in connection with several terrorism-related incidents.

Pakistan’s Response and Legal Considerations:

Pakistan’s Foreign Office acknowledged receiving India’s request, citing it as about a “so-called money laundering case.” Notably, there is no bilateral extradition treaty between the two countries. However, legal experts suggest that extradition can occur without a specific agreement.

Hafiz Saeed, a prominent cleric, was arrested in July 2019 by Pakistan’s Counter Terrorism Department after 23 first information reports were filed against him and his associates. 

In April 2022, an anti-terrorism court sentenced him to a combined 33 years in prison for terror financing in two separate cases.

Role of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Mumbai Attacks:

The Jamat-ud-Dawa (JuD), led by Saeed, is considered the front organization for the LeT, responsible for orchestrating the infamous 2008 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed the lives of 166 individuals, including six Americans.