KASHMIR — India's National Investigation Agency filed charges against Hafiz Saeed on July 6, 2026, in connection with a 2025 terrorist attack on tourists in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 men. The charges identify Saeed in his individual capacity, as well as the chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front.

The agency's charges include details of a conspiracy by Pakistan and Saeed's role, supported by evidence from scientific investigation and on-ground examination. The National Investigation Agency had previously charged Lashkar-e-Taiba, The Resistance Front, and six individuals in December 2025. The Resistance Front initially claimed responsibility for the 2025 Kashmir attack before denying it days later.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, founded by Hafiz Saeed around 1990, has been previously associated with major terrorist incidents. Saeed is blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people over three days. Since 2020, Saeed has been incarcerated in a Pakistani prison following convictions on terrorism financing charges.

New Delhi stated that the perpetrators of the 2025 Kashmir attack were Pakistani nationals supported by Islamabad. Pakistan denied any involvement in the attack and called for an independent investigation. In July 2025, Indian forces reported killing three individuals identified as Pakistanis involved in the Kashmir attack.

Why It Matters

These charges by India's National Investigation Agency directly link Hafiz Saeed, a figure associated with past major attacks, to a recent incident killing 26 people. The filing of charges against Saeed, who has been imprisoned since 2020, signals an ongoing investigation into the leadership of groups allegedly involved in the 2025 Kashmir attack. The developments also reflect sustained tensions between India and Pakistan regarding alleged cross-border terrorism.