Non-bailable warrant against LeT commander Saifullah linked to Pahalgam attack

A special NIA court in Jammu has issued a non-bailable warrant against Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Saifullah. The move sharpens the probe into the Pakistan-linked module tied to terror attacks in Kashmir, including Pahalgam.

In Short

• Saifullah linked to April 2025 Pahalgam massacre and other terror attacks
• He operates from Pakistan, supplying weapons and funds to Kashmir terrorists
• Saifullah commanded LeT in Kulgam from 2005-07 before fleeing to Pakistan

A special NIA court in Jammu has issued a non-bailable warrant against Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Saifullah, who officials said has been linked to several major terror attacks, including the April 2025 Pahalgam massacre.

The NIA sought the warrant, saying he has been operating from Pakistan and providing weapons, funds and directions to terrorists in the Kashmir Valley.

Officials said Saifullah, a resident of Changa Manga village in Pakistan's Kasur, is also known by several aliases, including Sajid Jatt, Ali Bhai, Habibullah Malik, Langda, Noomi, Numan, Usman Habib and Shani. He is described as a key figure in the outfit's operations and has remained active for more than two decades.

The warrant comes after the NIA busted what it described as a deep-rooted LeT module headed by Pakistani terrorist Abdullah, alias Abu Hureira. He was arrested along with another Pakistani accomplice, Usman alias Khubaib, and three local operatives early this year.

Quoting an order issued by the special NIA court on September 8, an official said the case arose after Jammu and Kashmir Police intercepted an LeT operative in Srinagar's Pandach area in March. This led to the arrest of the entire group, especially Abdullah, who had been on the run for 16 years and had successfully established bases outside the Union Territory.

Seeking the non-bailable warrant, the NIA told the court that Saifullah, a designated terrorist listed under the Fourth Schedule of the UAPA, had been operating from Pakistan and supplying weapons, funds and directions to terrorists in the Valley.

The agency also told the court that Telegraph IDs linked to Saifullah were recovered from one of the arrested Pakistani terrorists, showing that he had given directions for attacks on security forces, civilians and government establishments.

After hearing the NIA and examining the application and related material, the court issued the warrant against Saifullah. Quoting the order, the official said, "Keeping in view the fact that the accused person is at large and the investigating agency has not been able to procure his attendance in the ordinary manner... as such a general warrant of arrest (non-bailable) is issued against Saifullah and is forwarded to SSP, Kulgam, as the last known address of the accused is village Yamrach (in South Kashmir district) for execution of the warrant as per procedure prescribed under law."

The official said the warrant was sent for execution to the concerned authority through the NIA.

According to the NIA, Saifullah had also acted as an LeT commander in Kulgam district from 2005 to 2007 before exfiltrating to Pakistan.

- Ends