In a recent incident, a terrorist in Pakistan was fatally shot on Sunday. This is not the first time such an event has occurred, with more than 20 terrorists, who were on New Delhi's 'wanted list,' having been killed by unknown individuals over the past three years in various regions of Pakistan.
It is significant that these killings have all been carried out by unidentified assailants. The slain terrorists had affiliations with groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Hizbul Mujahideen (HuM), and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The targeted eliminations have left prominent terrorists in Pakistan living in fear or going underground.
Accusations Against India
These killings follow a strikingly similar pattern. A recent report by the British newspaper The Guardian suggested that nearly 20 of these assassinations in Pakistan were executed by sleeper cells of Indian intelligence agencies operating out of the United Arab Emirates. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry has held India responsible for these killings, claiming that India established a network of local assassins controlled through UAE-based operatives. However, India has outrightly dismissed these allegations.
Those Terrorists Eliminated by Unknown Attackers
1- Amir Sarfraz
- A close associate of Hafiz Saeed, Amir Sarfraz of Lashkar-e-Taiba was killed on Sunday at his home in Lahore, Pakistan, by two unknown attackers who shot him multiple times.
2- Paramjit Singh Panjwar
- On May 6, 2023, in Lahore, chief of Khalistan Commando Force, Paramjit Singh Panjwar, was shot dead by unknown killers. He had been hiding in Pakistan for a long time, working to train youths in arms.
3- Bashir Ahmad Peer
- On February 20, 2023, Hijbul Mujahideen's commander Bashir Ahmad Peer, alias Imtiyaz Alam from Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, was shot dead in Rawalpindi.
4- Ejaz Ahmad Ahangar
- Known as the 'Book of Terror,' Ejaz Ahmad Ahangar was killed by unidentified assailants on February 22, 2023, in Kabul, Afghanistan. He aimed to revive the Islamic State in India and had ties with Al-Qaeda.
5- Syed Khalid Raza
- Former Al-Badr commander Syed Khalid Raza was killed outside his residence in Karachi by gunfire on February 26, 2023.
Read more: 'Glad but justice incomplete,' Sarbjit Singh's daughter on Amir Sarfraz's elimination.
6- Mohammad Riyaz
- Also known as Abu Qasim Kashmiri, Riyaz was known for his attacks on Indian forces. He was shot while attending prayers in Rawalpindi in September 2023.
7- Adnan Ahmed aka Hanzala Adnan
- In December 2023, Hanzala was murdered in Karachi, known for masterminding several attacks on Indian forces.
8- Maulana Rahimullah
- A religious leader known for his anti-India speeches, Maulana Rahimullah was killed in Karachi's Orangi Town in November 2023.
9- Akram Khan
was murdered in Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on November 9, 2023. Having ties with Lashkar, he was a major recruitment cell figure.
10- Khwaja Shahid
- Also known as Mian Mujahid, his headless body was found near the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on November 5, 2023. He was involved in attacks on Indian military camps.
11- Shahid Latif
- Alleged mastermind behind the 2016 Pathankot attack, Shahid Latif was shot by unidentified gunmen in Sialkot, Punjab in October 2023.
12- Syed Noor Shalobar
- A wanted terrorist involved in spreading terrorism in Kashmir, was murdered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on March 4, 2023.
13- Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim
- The hijacker of the Kandahar plane, he was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Karachi, March 2022.
14- Lal Mohammad
- Suspected ISI operative involved in fake Indian currency dealings was killed in the outskirts of Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2022.
Other notable terrorists eliminated by unidentified gunmen include Maulana Ziaur Rehman, Mufti Kaiser Farooqi, and Mullah Sardar Hussain Arain.
Over 150 Terrorists in Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the safest countries for terrorists, according to UN documents. Over 150 terrorist groups or terrorists are present in Pakistan, many operating openly. Yet following unknown attacks, many terrorists have gone underground.
Also Read: Is India picking off terrorists in Pakistan? Government reacts to international media claims.
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) noted last year that over 150 terrorist groups or terrorists in Pakistan have been blacklisted, including names like Hafiz Saeed, Abdul Rehman Makki, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, Masood Azhar, and Dawood Ibrahim. When the UN lists such a person or organization, it is part of the 1267 ISIL (Da'esh) or Al-Qaeda sanctions list confirming their involvement in terrorism.
Terrorists Spread Across Provinces
According to the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), terrorist organizations and individuals are active throughout Pakistan, with no province free from the influence of these groups. The ISI, Pakistan's intelligence agency, is seen as key in fostering terrorism whether in Kashmir or promoting Khalistani elements in Punjab.
