NEW DELHI: India will continue to take “whatever action is required” to defeat terrorism, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday as Mumbai Police initiated proceedings for an in absentia trial against six Pakistan-based accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal made the remarks during the ministry’s biweekly media briefing while responding to questions on the move against the absconding accused, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) founder Hafiz Saeed and senior operative Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi.“These are very serious things. We take it very seriously. We want the global community to understand the gravity of such actions. India has been hit hard by terrorism. We have, over the last several years, taken a lot of effort to galvanise, to strengthen global action to fight terrorism, including cross-terrorism, and our fight to deal with terrorism will continue further. And whatever action is required to be taken on that account to defeat terrorism, we will continue to take,” Jaiswal said.The MEA’s comments came a day after Mumbai Police began the process to initiate an in absentia trial against six Pakistani nationals accused in connection with the November 2008 terror attacks.According to the proceedings, Mumbai Police has written to Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam to initiate the process against the accused who remain absconding.The proclamation has been issued against Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Sajid Mir, Abu Alqama, Asim alias Abu Qahafa and Major Abdur Rehman Pasha.The move marks the first time provisions allowing trials in absentia under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, are being invoked in a terror case of this nature, according to the information provided.Nikam said Section 356 of the BNSS provides for proceedings against absconding offenders in their absence, with the objective of preventing prolonged delays in delivering justice.The 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in November 2008 were carried out by Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, killing more than 160 people and injuring hundreds.India has repeatedly sought action against those accused of planning and facilitating the attacks who remain in Pakistan.The latest proceedings come as New Delhi continues to press for international cooperation in tackling cross-border terrorism and holding those accused of terror attacks accountable.Jaiswal said India wants the international community to recognise the seriousness of terrorist activities and reiterated that New Delhi would continue efforts to strengthen global action against terrorism.During the briefing, Jaiswal also responded to Pakistan’s denial of India’s allegations linking the Shahzad Bhatti terror network to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).He reiterated that the Indian government’s position on the matter remained unchanged.“The government of India has put forth this position, and that is where it stands,” Jaiswal said.The comments followed coordinated operations by Indian security agencies across 14 states on Monday, ahead of Independence Day, against what authorities described as an ISI-backed, Pakistan-based Shahzad Bhatti terror network.
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According to security agencies, 253 people were detained, more than 80 FIRs were registered and over 200 operatives were arrested during the operations.The action was carried out under India’s stated policy of “zero tolerance” towards cross-border terrorism.The developments come against the backdrop of India’s continuing efforts to pursue those accused of terrorism, including individuals linked to the 26/11 attacks who remain outside the country’s jurisdiction.
