World · India Bureau
India Says Terror Suspect Dawood Ibrahim Sheltered in Pakistan Like Bin Laden
India has formally corrected a UN human rights official, asserting that fugitive terrorist Dawood Ibrahim and other suspects wanted for major attacks including the 2008 Mumbai bombings have found safe harbour in Pakistan for decades.
LSN India ·
New Delhi has taken issue with statements made by a UN rapporteur, clarifying that numerous terrorists sought by Indian authorities have been operating from Pakistani soil for extended periods. The assertion centres on Dawood Ibrahim, the alleged mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people, drawing a parallel to how Osama bin Laden once operated from Afghanistan with state tolerance.
Indian officials emphasized that the presence of such high-profile terror suspects in Pakistan mirrors historical patterns of terrorist harbouring, with Ibrahim reportedly having established a significant operational footprint across Pakistani territory. The correction underscores New Delhi's long-standing accusations that Islamabad provides sanctuary to individuals designated as terrorists by India.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks, attributed to Pakistan-based militant groups, remain a flashpoint in bilateral relations. India maintains that the continued presence of those responsible within Pakistani borders represents a fundamental obstacle to regional security and counter-terrorism cooperation.
The Indian government's intervention signals persistent frustration over international characterizations of terrorism-related matters that New Delhi views as minimizing Pakistan's role in harbouring fugitives. Officials have repeatedly called for stronger international pressure on Islamabad to surrender terror suspects wanted for attacks on Indian soil.