Hafiz Saeed (File photo)
NEW DELHI: National Investigation Agency (NIA) Monday chargesheeted Lashkar-e-Taiba founder and chief Hafiz Mohammad Saeed for plotting and masterminding the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, in which 25 tourists were killed by three Pakistani terrorists in front of their families. One J&K resident was also shot dead.NIA said the second chargesheet has details of the role played by Saeed, with supporting evidence compiled by it based “on meticulous and scientific investigation and on-ground examination”.NIA finds digital trail to LeT in Pahalgam attackThe second NIA chargesheet came almost seven months after NIA filed the original chargesheet naming six people, including Pakistani terror handler and Hafiz Saeed’s close aide Sajid Jatt.Saeed, who has in the past figured in multiple terror chargesheets, including in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks case, was Monday charged in the Pahalgam case both in his individual capacity and as chief of LeT and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF).Both LeT and TRF are proscribed as “terrorist” outfits in India under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. As per Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, Saeed shall face trial in absentia, enabling courts to pronounce judgment. Sources said Saeed – in line with instructions given by Pakistani state actors and the ISI – had told Jatt to carry out a major attack in Pahalgam, targeted against security forces or tourists.There were specific directions to engage only Pakistani terrorists to execute the attack, while keeping involvement of local Kashmiris minimal and strictly on a need-to-know basis.This was done to keep the plot tightly under wraps and retain the ‘surprise’ element so as to maximise casualties, said a source.NIA unearthed irrefutable evidence, including chats, mobile data analysis and GPS logs, on the involvement of top LeT brass in planning as well as successful execution of the Pahalgam attack.Saeed has been charged under various sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and UAPA. NIA also invoked the penal section against the accused for waging war against India and hatching a conspiracy from across the border in the chargesheet.In its earlier chargesheet filed on Dec 15, 2025, NIA had named Pakistani handler terrorist Jatt as an accused, along with three terrorists killed by security forces during Operation Mahadev in July 2025, as well as two arrested accused. It had also charged LeT/TRF as a legal entity that planned, facilitated and executed the carnage of tourists after identifying their religious faith.
