India resolves to defeat terrorism as legal process begins against 26/11 accused
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday asserted that India will take all necessary action to defeat terrorism, as a fresh legal move began against the absconding 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused, including Hafiz Saeed and Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.
Addressing a weekly press briefing, MEA spokesperson said, “India has always maintained that it will take whatever action is required to defeat terrorism. The initiation of legal proceedings against those involved in heinous terror acts is part of our consistent efforts to ensure justice and uphold the rule of law.”
The spokesperson’s remarks came after Mumbai Police wrote to the Special Public Prosecutor, requesting the initiation of process against the accused who remain absconding. The move is seen as a step towards bringing those responsible for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks to justice, even if they are not present in India.
Hafiz Saeed is the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the outfit widely believed to have orchestrated the 26/11 attacks that killed 166 people and injured hundreds. Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi is considered a key operational commander of LeT and has been named in multiple chargesheets related to the attacks.
Both individuals are currently believed to be in Pakistan. Despite repeated requests from India for their extradition, Pakistan has not cooperated, citing lack of evidence and legal constraints. The new legal step by Mumbai Police aims to proceed with trial in absentia, a provision allowed under Indian law for fugitives who refuse to face trial.
Legal experts say that the move sends a strong signal that India will not relent in its pursuit of justice, even if the accused are beyond its borders. The trial would rely on evidence already collected by Indian agencies and testimonies of witnesses recorded over the years.
The 26/11 attacks involved a coordinated series of shootings and bombings across Mumbai, including at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus. The sole surviving attacker, Ajmal Kasab, was captured, tried, and executed in 2012. However, the masterminds and handlers of the attack remain at large.
India has consistently raised this issue at international forums, highlighting Pakistan’s failure to act against terror groups operating from its soil. The MEA’s recent statement reaffirms the government’s commitment to national security and counter-terrorism efforts.
Observers note that the timing of this legal move is significant, as it comes amid heightened global scrutiny of terror financing and cross-border terrorism. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has also pressed Pakistan to take tangible steps against entities linked to LeT and other UN-designated terror groups.
The MEA spokesperson, while responding to a question on the development, said, “We are following due legal procedure. The government is committed to ensuring that all those who perpetrated this heinous crime are brought to justice. India will continue to take all necessary measures, including diplomatic and legal actions, to combat terrorism in all its forms.”
The development has been welcomed by victims’ families and civil society groups, who have long demanded action against the absconding accused. Many see this as a step forward in the long-pending legal saga, though they acknowledge that actual prosecution will require international cooperation.
As India moves forward with this legal process, the world will be watching to see whether Pakistan responds or continues to shield the accused. Meanwhile, the Indian government has reiterated that no stone will be left unturned in the fight against terrorism.
