Sajid Mir (terrorist)

Sajid Mir
ساجد میر
Mir in an undated photograph
Born1976 or 1978
Lahore, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
Other namesSajid Majid, Sajid Majid Chaudary, Uncle Bill
OrganizationLashkar-e-Taiba
Known for2008 Mumbai attacks
Height5 ft 5 in to 5 ft 6 in (165-168 cm)
Conviction(s)Terror financing (Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan)
Criminal penalty15 years imprisonment
Wanted by
India, FBI

Sajid Mir (Urdu: ساجد میر, born 1976 or 1978)[1] is a Pakistani national from Lahore and a member of the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba.[2] Mir was the chief planner of the 2008 Mumbai attacks,[2][3] and has also managed the tasks of the 'foreign affairs' of Lashkar-e-Taiba's international wing.[4]

Sajid Mir was initially believed to be a fictitious character, as claimed by Pakistan,[5][6] but was later revealed by French magistrate Jean-Louis Bruguière's statement to journalist Sebastian Rotella as being a real person.[7][8] Jean-Louis Bruguiere, during 2009, also stated that Sajid Mir is a regular official in the Pakistan Army.[9]

After the 2008 Mumbai attacks, Mir was indicted in the United States in 2011. He was sanctioned as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist in the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List on 30 August 2012 by the United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control.[10][11] Mir is listed on the United States Department of State's Rewards for Justice Terror List for a reward of up to US$5 million for information which leads to his arrest. He is also listed on the FBI Most Wanted Terrorists list.[11] China has prevented the United Nations Security Council from designating Mir as a global terrorist under the Al-Qaeda and Taliban Sanctions Committee.[12]

In 2022, an Anti Terrorism Court of Pakistan convicted him of terror financing and sentenced him to 15 years of imprisonment.

In 2023, a proposal by the United States and India to designate him as a global terrorist was blocked by China.[13]

  1. ^ "Sajid Mir". Federal Bureau of Investigation. Retrieved 8 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b Verma, Bharat (2013). Indian Defence Review Apr-Jun 2012. Vol. 27. New Delhi: Lancer. p. 26. ISBN 978-81-7062-259-8.
  3. ^ The threat to the U.S. homeland emanating from Pakistan: hearing before the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress, first session, May 3, 2011. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. 2012. p. 26. ISBN 978-0-16-090504-9.
  4. ^ Rath, Saroj Kumar (2014). Fragile Frontiers : The Secret History of Mumbai Terror Attacks. New Delhi, India: Routledge. p. 75. ISBN 978-1-138-79077-3.
  5. ^ Nanjappa, Vicky (23 November 2011). "Sajid Mir remains a mystery even 3 years after 26/11". Rediff. Rediff.com. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. ^ Nanjappa, Vicky (26 November 2015). "Where is Lashkar-e-Taiba's passionate Jihadi, Sajid Mir". Oneindia. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  7. ^ Khan, Azmat (21 November 2011). "Could This Man's Warnings Have Prevented the Mumbai Attacks?". FRONTLINE. PBS. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  8. ^ Rotella, Sebastian (13 November 2010). "The Man Behind Mumbai". ProPublica. ProPublica. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  9. ^ MacDonald, Myra (13 November 2009). "Interview – French magistrate details Lashkar's global role". Reuters. Reuters. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  10. ^ "MIR, Sajid". sanctionssearch.ofac.treas.gov. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Sajid Mir". Rewards For Justice. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
  12. ^ Mukhopadhyay, Sounak (17 September 2022). "LeT Commander Sajid Mir won't be called 'global terrorist', thanks to China". mint. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  13. ^ "China blocks proposal at UN to blacklist Pak-based LeT terrorist and 26/11 accused Sajid Mir". republicworld. 20 June 2023. Retrieved 20 June 2023.