What was Sajid Mir's role in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks? Why is China protecting him?

China, Pakistan's steadfast ally, has once again obstructed the efforts of the United States and India to designate Sajid Mir, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, as a "global terrorist." 

Despite being proposed by the US and co-designated by India under the 1267 Al Qaeda Sanctions Committee of the UN council, China has consistently blocked the move, drawing strong criticism from India.

We take a look at who is Sajid Mir, what is his involvement in the Mumbai attacks, and what are the reasons behind China's unwavering support for him?

Who is Sajid Mir?

Sajid Mir is an alleged militant who became associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in 1994 and gained early access to Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a prominent figure within the organization.

According to US intelligence agencies, Mir played a pivotal role as the chief plotter of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Allegedly, Mir recruited American national David Coleman Headley and aided him in his reconnaissance visits to Mumbai prior to the attacks.

During the assault, Mir assumed the role of LeT project manager, issuing instructions to the terrorists via satellite phones while the operation was underway.

Not among the suspects named by the Pakistani government

Sajid Mir's case is intriguing, as the Pakistani government initially dismissed him as a "fictitious character." The main culprit behind the 26/11 attacks was believed to be Hafiz Saeed, the leader of Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD).

When Pakistan launched a crackdown on the 26/11 perpetrators, Sajid Mir was neither arrested nor listed among the eight suspects apprehended. While Hafiz Saeed was placed under house arrest, the other eight suspects, including Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi and Zarar Shah, were taken into custody and charged with orchestrating the Mumbai attacks.

Sajid Mir's name only emerged as a suspect when the United States indicted him in 2011, eventually declaring him the most-wanted terrorist with a $5 million bounty by 2012.

Arrest and sentencing

In a surprising turn of events in 2022, the Pakistani government acknowledged Sajid Mir's existence and subsequently arrested him. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for his involvement in a terror financing case by an anti-terrorism court in Pakistan.

Mir has been detained at the Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore since April 2022, where he serves his sentence and faces a fine of Rs 400,000.

Reasons behind Sajid Mir's sudden arrest

Sajid Mir's arrest and conviction were not mere coincidences; they were likely influenced by Pakistan's inclusion in the "Grey List" of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the global terror financing watchdog.

Pakistan's actions were seen as an attempt to demonstrate its commitment to countering terrorism on the international stage, although its true stance on these terror suspects may differ.

Why is China protecting Sajid Mir?

China's protection of Sajid Mir can be attributed to its crucial strategic alliance with Pakistan, as Beijing consistently stands by Pakistan on the international stage. This support for Mir is not an isolated incident, as other individuals such as Abdul Rehman Makki, a member of LeT, and Abdul Rauf Azhar, the brother of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeD) founder Masood Azhar, have also received backing from China on a global scale.

The close relationship between China and Pakistan is underpinned by extensive business interests and Beijing's consistent provision of financial aid to alleviate Pakistan's economic challenges. Notably, China recently sanctioned a $1 billion loan to Pakistan, a country grappling with a severe economic crisis. Furthermore, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) agreement, regarded as a significant undertaking, is expected to yield substantial monetary benefits for China.

Given these circumstances, it is in China's interest to ensure the protection of Pakistan's interests as well.