The killing of Pulwama-linked terrorist commander Hamza Burhan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has triggered explosive fresh allegations against Pakistan after visuals from his funeral allegedly showed the presence of ISI-linked figures, heavily armed militants, and globally designated terror operatives.
Hamza Burhan, also known as Arjumand Gulzar Dar, was reportedly associated with terror outfits Hizbul Mujahideen and Al-Badr and is believed to have played a key role in terror operations linked to the 2019 Pulwama attack network. His funeral has now reignited scrutiny over Pakistan’s long-denied links with jihadist groups operating from its soil.
International Desk: Social media visuals emerging from Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have sparked a major controversy, with claims that senior terrorist leaders, Al-Badr operatives, and individuals linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) openly attended the funeral of slain terrorist commander Hamza Burhan.
Among those allegedly spotted was Syed Salahuddin, the chief of Hizbul Mujahideen and one of India’s most wanted terrorists. The visuals, widely circulated online, also reportedly showed armed men escorting the funeral procession — further fuelling accusations that terror groups continue to operate freely under Pakistan’s protection.
According to reports, Hamza Burhan was shot dead by unidentified gunmen outside a college in the Gojra area of Muzaffarabad. Sources claim he had been living in Pakistan under the cover of working as a school principal after fleeing India. However, Indian security-linked reports alleged that he remained deeply involved in terror operations, including running Al-Badr launchpads, coordinating recruitment drives, and rebuilding militant networks in PoK.
Reports also claimed that Pakistan’s ISI had provided him with armed security after intelligence warnings about a possible attack. On the day of the killing, Hamza reportedly stepped out to meet two individuals, leaving his bodyguards behind — moments before gunmen opened fire and killed him.
The funeral visuals have added a new dimension to the controversy. Images and videos circulating online allegedly showed heavily armed men, terror affiliates, and extremist sympathisers gathering openly in PoK, raising uncomfortable questions for Islamabad.
Security analysts in India say the footage once again exposes Pakistan’s “double game” on terrorism — publicly denying support for extremist groups while allegedly allowing terror infrastructure to flourish inside PoK.
Neither the Pakistani government nor the military establishment has officially responded to the allegations or the viral visuals.
Hamza Burhan’s name had repeatedly surfaced in connection with terror modules linked to the Pulwama attack. Reports further claimed that after 2018, he worked aggressively to revive the Al-Badr terror outfit and reconnect dormant militant networks across the region.
The incident comes amid India’s continued accusations that Pakistan provides safe haven, funding, and logistical backing to cross-border terror groups operating against India. While Islamabad has consistently denied these allegations, the latest visuals are being cited by Indian observers as yet another sign of the deep-rooted nexus between Pakistan’s establishment and terror organisations operating from PoK.
