Saifullah Kasuri: Pahalgam Terror Attack Mastermind's Provocative Statements
Kasuri's Controversial Remarks at Lahore Rally
Saifullah Kasuri, a prominent commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba and a key figure behind the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, made inflammatory comments against India during a rally in Lahore. He shared the stage with Talha Saeed, son of Hafiz Saeed, who is designated as a terrorist by the US, and Malik Ahmad Khan, the Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. The trio delivered speeches filled with anti-India sentiments, while Kasuri previously distanced himself from the Pahalgam massacre.
Talha Saeed's Praise for Terror Operations
New alarming connections to terrorism have emerged, raising concerns about recent events. During the rally, Talha Saeed lauded Pakistan's Bunyan al-Marsoos operation, which was allegedly a response to India's Operation Sindoor. He proclaimed, 'Allah loves those who engage in jihad,' as Kasuri and others on stage cheered in agreement.
Kasuri's Attack on PM Modi
In his tirade against India, Kasuri specifically targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating, 'Modi is mistaken if he thinks we are afraid of bullets.' This comment is believed to be a reaction to PM Modi's recent speech at a rally in Bhuj, where he warned Pakistan to prepare for India's retaliation if it continued to use terrorism as a weapon. Malik Rasheed, an ally of Shehbaz Sharif, claimed that '24 crore Pakistanis are represented today by figures like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri.' He also noted that the Sharif administration intends to offer a job to the brother of a Lashkar commander killed in India's attack on the LeT headquarters.
Profile of Saifullah Kasuri
Saifullah Kasuri, also referred to as Saifullah Khalid or Saifullah Sajid Jutt, is a senior figure and deputy leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a terrorist organization based in Pakistan. He has close ties to Hafiz Saeed, the founder of LeT and a UN-designated terrorist linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Reports indicate that he may be Hafiz Saeed's son. Kasuri is believed to be the principal architect behind the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 individuals, primarily tourists, in Jammu and Kashmir's Baisaran meadow.
Kasuri's Role in Terrorism
The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of LeT co-founded by Kasuri, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, providing plausible deniability for Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism. Hailing from Shangamanga village in Punjab, Pakistan, Kasuri is reported to have orchestrated the Pahalgam attack, utilizing his position to oversee LeT's operational strategies and TRF's activities in the Kashmir Valley. He maintains strong connections with Pakistan's military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), having visited military bases to motivate soldiers. Despite denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack in a video, his public calls for jihad contradict his claims.
Kasuri's Leadership Positions
Kasuri has occupied significant roles within Lashkar-e-Taiba's political and charitable organizations. In 2017, he served as the president of the Milli Muslim League (MML) and was part of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa Coordination Committee for Central Punjab. Known for his extravagant lifestyle, he is often seen traveling in luxury vehicles with heavy security from LeT members armed with modern weaponry. Indian intelligence agencies suspect he enjoys substantial support from Pakistan's military, raising alarms about state-sponsored terrorism targeting India.