In a bid to bring the alleged mastermind of the Mumbai attacks in 2008, India has formally requested Pakistan to extradite Hafiz Saeed. The move comes amid fresh developments in a pending case against Saeed in India. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson confirmed the extradition request was submitted some weeks ago through the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. Interestingly, this request comes despite the absence of a formal extradition treaty between the two neighbouring countries.#WATCH | On extradition request to Pakistan to hand over 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, The person in question is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with… pic.twitter.com/L5K1EvmFdM— ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2023In a media briefing, the EAM spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, The person in question is wanted in numerous cases in India. He is also a UN-proscribed terrorist. In this regard, we have conveyed a request along with relevant supporting documents to the Government of Pakistan to extradite him to India to face trial in a particular case. We have been flagging the issue of activities, that hes been wanted for. This is a recent request.What is Pakistans responseHowever, Pakistans response to the request was lukewarm. While confirming its receipt, the Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, Pakistan has received a request from the Indian authorities seeking extradition of Hafiz Saeed in a so-called money laundering case. It is pertinent to note that no bilateral extradition treaty exists between Pakistan and India.Indias concerns over radical terroristBeyond the immediate extradition request, India also expressed concern over the potential mainstreaming of radical terrorist groups in Pakistan. This comes in the wake of reports that Saeeds son Talha Saeed is planning to contest the upcoming general elections in Pakistan.The mainstreaming of radical terrorist outfits in Pakistan is nothing new and has been a part of their state policy for a long time, Bagchi stated. Such developments have serious implications for the security of our region. On our part, we will, of course, continue to monitor all developments that have an implication on our national security.Notably, Hafiz Saeed is a UN-proscribed terrorist and is the founder of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and is wanted in India in various cases.In 2012, the United States offered a bounty of 10 million dollars to capture Hafiz Saeed. The terror groups: LeT and Jamaat-ud-Dawah (JuD), have been banned by the US and the United Nations.
