Hafiz Saeed, Mumbai Terror Attack Mastermind, in Pakistan Custody Serving 78-Year Sentence

Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the Mumbai terror attacks and leader of the banned Jamat-ud-Dawah, is currently serving a 78-year prison sentence in Pakistan after being convicted in seven terror financing cases. The update comes from the United Nations, which also noted the death of Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, a founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Saeeds deputy.

In a significant development, the United Nations (UN) has confirmed that Mumbai terror attack mastermind and outlawed Jamat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed is currently in the custody of Pakistan, serving a 78-year imprisonment sentence. This updated information comes amidst India's request in December for Pakistan to extradite Saeed, who is wanted by Indian probe agencies in several terror cases.

Designated Global Terrorist

Hafiz Saeed, designated as a global terrorist by the UN Security Council's 1267 Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee in December 2008, is serving his sentence as a result of convictions in seven terror financing cases. The Sanctions Committee noted this in an amended entry, stating that Saeed has been in the custody of the Government of Pakistan since February 12, 2020.

Amendments to Sanctions List

Last month, the Security Council Committee implemented amendments to certain entries in its ISIL Da'esh and Al-Qaida Sanctions List, which includes individuals and entities subject to asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes. Among these amendments, the Sanctions Committee confirmed the death of Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, a founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Saeed's deputy.

Bhuttavi's Demise

Bhuttavi, also a UN-designated terrorist, played a crucial role in training the LeT attackers involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack. He served as the terror outfit's chief on multiple occasions. In May 2022, Bhuttavi passed away in prison in Pakistan's Punjab province while serving a sentence for terror financing.

The confirmation of Hafiz Saeed's custody in Pakistan and the acknowledgment of Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi's death by the UN are significant developments in the fight against terrorism. These actions underscore the international community's commitment to holding accountable those responsible for heinous acts of terror and disrupting terrorist networks.