A viral video shows Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and other terrorists at Shahid Akhtar’s funeral in Islamabad. Shahid, the elder brother of Pakistani great Shoaib Akhtar, passed away earlier this week.
The funeral of former Pakistani cricketer Shoaib Akhtar’s brother in Islamabad has drawn significant attention after Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including its deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri, known for his provocative anti-India remarks, were spotted at the ceremony. Shoaib’s elder brother Shahid Akhtar passed away on June 24.
A viral video shows several leaders of LeT, behind some of the deadliest terror attacks in India, including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and the Pahalgam carnage, present at Shahid’s funeral at the H-8 graveyard in Islamabad. Apart from Kasuri, Inam Ur Rehman, president of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), LeT’s political front, also attended the funeral.
TERRORISTS AT FUNERAL OF SHOAIB AKHTAR’S BROTHER
UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed essentially formed the PMML as a surrogate to circumvent international and domestic bans on his outfits, like the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) and the Milli Muslim League (MML). The PMML also contested the 2024 Pakistani elections.
Terrorists like Kasuri openly attending a public event once again exposes Pakistan’s continued support and patronage of anti-India elements. It shows how terrorists openly roam around Pakistan, a state-sponsor of terrorism.
At the same time, it also raises questions about the influence wielded by such banned terror outfits in Pakistan’s hierarchy. Shoaib retired from cricket in 2011, but has been active as a commentator in Pakistan. He has also provided commentary for the IPL.
WHO IS SAIFULLAH KASURI?
For India, the presence of Saifullah Kasuri in a public event is bound to raise concerns. The Lashkar deputy chief is known for his anti-India rhetoric and inflammatory remarks. Several of his provocative speeches have gone viral recently after the Pahalgam terror attack, which left 25 tourists dead.
India responded by suspending the Indus Waters Treaty and launching Operation Sindoor, destroying key terror camps, including the Lashkar headquarters in Muridke, and targeting military bases from Rawalpindi to Sukkur.
The attacks rattled the Lashkar and other terror outfits. Since then, an unnerved Kasuri has continued to make inflammatory remarks against India, warning of another 26/11-style strike via the sea route.
In a video that emerged in February this year, Kasuri is seen making open threats to India, asserting that there would be no space left for the “enemy” on land, air, or sea.
He also accused India of “water terrorism” – a likely reference to the suspension of the Indus treaty – and threatened that pressure in Kashmir would be answered with unrest elsewhere.
In another video, Kasuri is seen admitting what has been known for long – the Pakistani army’s tacit backing of terror groups like Lashkar. Kasuri is heard saying that the army often invites him to its events and also to lead funeral prayers for its soldiers.
“The (Pakistan) army invites me to lead funeral prayers. Do you know India is also scared of me?” the Lashkar terrorist is heard saying in the video.
The recent provocative remarks by Kasuri and other terrorists come amid intel that outfits like Lashkar were rebuilding following the destructive strikes by India last year.
