Yasin Malik, a Kashmiri separatist leader, has asserted in an affidavit submitted to the Delhi High Court that he met Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, in Pakistan in 2006 under the direction of senior Intelligence Bureau officials. Malik claims that upon his return to New Delhi, he briefed then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the encounter, to which Singh responded with appreciation for Malik’s efforts and patience. The affidavit details Malik’s discussions with various Indian leaders, including Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh, as well as senior IB officials, foreign diplomats, and militant leaders in Pakistan. Malik stated that Singh assured him in February 2006 of the government’s dedication to resolving the Kashmir conflict.
He further alleged that his visit to Pakistan, initially intended for earthquake relief efforts, was misrepresented, even though it was conducted at the IB’s request. Malik noted that Singh expressed gratitude for his engagement with Hafiz Saeed and other militant figures. Currently, Malik is serving a life sentence in Tihar Jail for terror funding and faces potential capital punishment as the NIA has sought the death penalty. He has been charged with maintaining close ties to terrorist organizations and compromising India’s sovereignty.
