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Nearly 18 years after the 26/11 attacks, Indian investigating agencies and Mumbai Police have officially begun in absentia proceedings against six Pakistani accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Sajid Mir.

On Monday, the Mumbai Police officially started the legal process to conduct an ‘in absentia’ trial against six absconding Pakistani individuals accused of orchestrating the November 26, 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.

The six accused include Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and Sajid Mir. The other three accused are Abu Al-Qama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa and Major Abdul Rehman Pasha.

All six are currently in Pakistan and have not been brought before an Indian court.

Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam is expected to submit a proclamation report before the court, seeking to formally proceed against the accused who are evading the Indian judicial process.

A coordinated assault by a group of 10 terrorists in November 2008 sent shockwaves through India and the world. The terrorists had entered the city of Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008, via sea route. Over the course four days, they killed 166 people and injured 300, across some of the busiest parts of the city.

The Mumbai attacks, often referred to as the 26/11 attacks, were one of the deadliest attacks in Indian history, with iconic locations including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Oberoi Trident, Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST) railway station, Leopold Cafe, and Nariman House targeted.

Pertinent to note that the attack hardened India’s stance against terrorism, marked by major overhauls in India’s coastal security, intelligence-sharing frameworks, and counter-terrorism infrastructure.

If convicted, the six accused will face immediate sentencing and punishment whenever brought to India.

Earlier in July, a Jammu court issued a non-bailable warrant against Hafiz Saeed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, that claimed 26 lives.

The warrant followed a National Investigation Agency (NIA) supplementary chargesheet that named the LeT founder the mastermind of the assault.

India has begun in absentia proceedings against six Pakistani individuals accused of orchestrating the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, including Lashkar-e-Taiba founder Hafiz Saeed. If convicted, these individuals will face immediate sentencing and punishment whenever they are brought to India. This action uses a legal mechanism introduced after the 26/11 attacks to deal with declared offenders who evade Indian judicial proceedings.