The report published in the newspapers of Pakistan, that A Pakistani court has convicted Sajid Majeed Miroone of the planning men Mumbai 26/11 AttackOn terrorism financing charges, it is welcome proof that the hunt for every mastermind should never be abandoned. In Mir’s case, Pakistan’s security agencies had gone so far as to falsely declare him “dead”. He was reportedly sentenced to over 15 years in prison and is serving his sentence in Lahore jail. Mir, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s former deputy chief of “international operations”, has been desired for his role in recruitment for the 26/11 attacks, being the handler for David Headley, who carried out reconnaissance for Lashkar-e-Taiba during several visits to India, and during Mumbai To stay in the Karachi “Control Room”. Siege Headley named Mir in his statement in a US court when he was granted a “petition deal” by the US government, as well as in statements via video link to the 26/11 trial in India. Mir is also wanted for conspiracies to attack a Danish newspaper of Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is accused of publishing blasphemous cartoons and bombing nuclear installations in Australia. He was also convicted by a French court of recruiting Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, and is believed to have recruited terrorist-volunteers in the US “Virginia Paintball Jihad” case. The timing of Mir’s sentencing appears to be linked to the final phase of Pakistan’s Grey. Listed this June to the FATF, which voted to allow on-site visits to Pakistan with a view to de-listing it over the next few months. While Mir is not actually on the United Nations Security Council’s list of 1267 terrorist-designated persons mandated to carry forward the FATF, the West has frequently brought up his name in FATF proceedings, demanding that Pakistan successfully convicted the leaders of terrorist groups.
If Mir is indeed behind bars, New Delhi must move swiftly to seek his extradition to stand trial in India. Of course, given the poor state of bilateral relations, this is an almost impossible task. New Delhi must correct the error of not including Mir on the UNSC list so far, and launch a concerted international effort for Mir to be prosecuted for all the terror attacks he has been involved in – not just for terrorist financing. Noting, like Hafiz Saeed, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi and other Lashkar-e-Taiba members, the tendency of Pakistan’s legal authorities to reverse convictions and reduce the punishment of terrorists after the heat of international agencies subsides, It is necessary to pay attention to Mir. This will be particularly important, especially as Pakistan is expected to get full relief from the FATF in October, and it should be made clear that the government will continue to pursue the legal process against each person behind the Mumbai attacks, as long as they brought to justice.