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It's a legit terror nexus: How terrorists draw crowds in Pakistan by spewing anti-India hate
In most countries, sport stars, celebrities, influencers and politicians attract huge crowds at rallies and appearances. But not in Pakistan. In the neighbouring country, a different type of individual is a crowd puller — the terrorist belonging to groups such as the Lashkar-e-Taiba or the Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Many would point out that these terrorists holding rallies out in the open, with government officials often in the crowds, is a reflection of the nation's duplicity and a clear sign of its terror nexus.
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In fact, there are multiple instances when terrorists have held rallies in Pakistan — the latest example surfacing on Wednesday (May 28) when Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Kasuri addressed the crowds in the presence of Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan.
LeT commander and Pahalgam attacker's massive rally
On Wednesday, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Kasuri , who is the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 Indians, mostly civilians, lost their lives, appeared at a rally, sharing the sharing with Pakistani political leaders and other wanted terrorists.
Speaking at the event in Kasoor in Punjab province, Kasuri brazenly said, 'I was blamed as being the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, now my name is famous in the entire world.'
He also announced plans to build a centre, road, and hospital in Allahabad in the name of 'Mudassir Shaheed.' Mudassir was reportedly one of several high-profile terrorists killed in May 7 strikes by the Indian Air Force on nine terror sites across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
He further stated that he wasn't afraid of bullets, a reference to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's earlier speech. 'Narendra Modi samajhta hai hum goliyon se darne wale hain? Ye uski bhool hai (Modi is mistaken if he thinks we are scared of bullets).'
Incidentally, the Lashkar-e-Taiba, of which Kasuri is a member, has been added to a United Nations sanctions list since 2005. Also, it has been deemed a terrorist organisation by the US since 2001.
What is even more shocking that a terrorist holding a rally was the presence of Pakistani security forces as well as government officials. As per an India Today report, Pakistan's Food Minister Malik Rasheed Ahmad Khan and Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmad Khan were both present in the crowd while Kasuri continued to make anti-India comments.
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In fact, the ministers personally welcomed the Kasuri to the stage and embracing him. The India Today report further stated that Minister Malik Rasheed openly declared that '24 crore Pakistanis are today represented by men like Hafiz Saeed and Saifullah Kasuri.'
Saifullah Kasuri, alias Khalid, of the Lashkar-e-Taiba at a rally on Wednesday. Image Courtesy: Facebook
Along with Kasuri, the rally on Wednesday also saw UN-proscribed terrorist Talha Saeed – son of 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed. In 2022, India had designated him as an individual terrorist under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). In fact, he is ranked 32nd on India's most wanted terrorist list today.
Almost 50-years-old, Talha is a senior leader of the LeT and is the head of the cleric wing of the banned outfit. India has found that he is actively involved in recruitment, fund collection, planning and executing attacks by LeT in India and Indian interests in Afghanistan.
In the Wednesday rally, he is heard saying, 'Today there is a message for India from Pakistan. We have won 'Operation Bunyan al-Marsus' and God should accept our presence here. I'm thankful to Malik Ahmad Khan, speaker of Punjab Assembly, Malik Rashid Khan and Saifullah Khalid for their presence here on stage. I also salute the people of Pakistan on behalf of my father Hafiz Saeed. I am here to tell you God loves those who do jihad.'
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Talha also deemed the Pahalgam terror attack as 'drama', adding that his father was under the peaceful protection of the state, exposing Pakistan's terrorism scam.
Talha has also appeared at other rallies in Pakistan in the past. Earlier in February, he delivered a provocative speech at a rally in Lahore on Pakistan's so-called 'Kashmir Solidarity Day', vowing to 'liberate Kashmir from India at any cost'.
In that same address, he called Prime Minister Modi a 'shaitan' (devil), adding: 'I want to warn PM Modi that Kashmir belongs to Muslims, and we will take Kashmir from you. It will be a part of Pakistan Muslim India soon.'
Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks, addressing a crowd in Pakistan. File image/Reuters
Hafiz Saeed's anti-India outbursts
But before Kasuri and Talha Saeed's rally, Pakistan's double-face on terror has been exposed when 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Hafiz Saeed has been permitted to take the stage and rant against India.
Over the years, in 2018 and 2019, Hafiz Saeed has held multiple rallies, urging his followers to stand up against India's alleged 'crackdown on Kashmiris'. He has also been seen sharing public space with Pakistani ministers; for instance, in September 2018, Pakistan's Religious Affairs and Interfaith Minister Noor-ul-Haq Qadri shared a platform with Saeed, and in December of the same year, Pakistan's Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi had openly expressed support of his government to Hafiz Saeed and his terror outfit.
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If that's not enough in September 2013, the terrorist, who carries a US bounty of $10 million, appeared openly at a rally in Islamabad, denouncing India as a terrorist state. Speaking to over 10,000 people, he was quoted as saying, ''The United States and India are very angry with us. This means God is happy with us.'
'We are ready for every sacrifice for the liberation of Kashmir,' he added in the speech.
Jaish-e-Mohammed's Masood Azhar surrounded by armed guards and Pakistan police. File image/Reuters
JeM's Masood Azhar calls for jihad against India
In February 2014, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar , the man behind the 2001 Parliament attack in India, also spewed venom against the country in a rally in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad.
According to multiple reports, the rally saw thousands of his supporters in attendance, who were bussed to the venue.
When India raised the issue with Islamabad, the Foreign Office sought to play down his appearance as a 'one time event'.
Following Azhar's appearance, intelligence agencies sounded an alarm, stating that it 'does not seem accidental'. They described the phenomenon as a 'disturbing development' for the world community and Pakistan's national security.
With inputs from agencies
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