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India.com
3 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
Hafiz Saeed Living In Luxury Under Govt Protection, Pakistan Won't Hand Him Over To India, Says Son Talha
Islamabad/New Delhi: In a sensational revelation that tears the mask off Pakistan's counter-terror claims, Talha Saeed, son of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, has declared in a new video that his father is safe, protected by the Pakistani government and will not be handed over to India ever. As speculation mounted over the fate of the Lashkar-e-Toiba founder, Talha broke his silence in an interview, dispelling rumours about his father's deteriorating health or imprisonment. Instead, he painted the image of a man who is 'peacefully spending his time writing Quranic commentary and offering prayers' – not languishing in any prison cell, as Pakistan would have the world believe. 'He is absolutely safe, well and living a peaceful life. The idea of handing him over to India is out of the question,' Talha said defiantly. The statement comes amid rising demands from India for Hafiz Saeed's extradition, especially with the 16th anniversary of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks approaching. The UN-designated terrorist, Saeed is accused of orchestrating the bloodbath that left 166 people dead and scores wounded. Yet, his son's words suggest that Pakistan's 'house arrest' may just be a smokescreen for international optics. The New Face of Anti-India Rhetoric? Talha Saeed has been increasingly active in Pakistan's public and media space, frequently spewing venom against India and rallying Islamist sympathisers. Many analysts believe that with Hafiz Saeed aging and reportedly unwell, Talha is now being groomed to take over his father's ideological and operational mantle within the Lashkar-e-Toiba. His interviews are being seen as a calculated PR move – not only to reassure LeT's rank and file but also to send a message to India and the global community: Hafiz Saeed is not going anywhere. Talha's confession is damning for a country that publicly claims to fight terrorism but is safeguarding its most notorious terrorist. Despite assurances given to global watchdogs like FATF, Pakistan appears to be offering VIP treatment to a man responsible for one of the worst terror attacks on Indian soil. India has repeatedly presented evidence of Saeed's involvement in the Mumbai attacks, demanding his extradition. But as Talha's statements now make clear, Islamabad never intended to act on those demands – a stance that undermines its credibility on the world stage. With Talha's open admission now in the public domain, Indian intelligence and diplomatic channels are closely monitoring the developments. The revelations strengthen India's position that Pakistan continues to harbour terrorists under state protection, even while demanding legitimacy and aid from international allies.
The Print
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Print
From his lair, JeM chief Masood Azhar calls on jihadists to fight for ‘vengeance' against India
The Government of Pakistan claims Azhar escaped from house arrest in 2019, and made his way to Afghanistan. Those claims are denied by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The latest letters, however, make clear he is in close contact with events in his homeland. From his Inter-Services Intelligence-provided safehouse, the Jaish-e-Mohammed chief has now issued directions, urging his followers to respond to India's air strikes by following Talha's steps. The words are of political significance: Azhar lies at the heart of powerful clerical networks in southern Punjab in Pakistan, which have a deep influence in poor communities, parts of the urban middle class, and sections of the military rank-and-file. New Delhi: The eulogy was strangely erotic, written by jihad commander Masood Azhar Alvi for his nephew, Talha Rashid, who was slain in combat in Kashmir in 2017. 'The martyr's sins are forgiven when the first drop of his blood falls,' he wrote, 'and he is spared the agony of the grave, the terrors of the day of judgment; he is married to seventy-two virgins; his family granted God's mercy. His head wears a crown of honour, any one of the gems studding it more valuable than all this world.' Large numbers of Fidayeen groups of the JeM have carried out attacks in Kashmir, as well as across the rest of India—from the Akshardham Temple to the Jammu & Kashmir legislative assembly, and Parliament House. Two Indian intelligence officials ThePrint spoke to said that in the event of a long-drawn war, those groups would be brought into play to harry Indian military movement along the strategically vital highway linking Pathankot with Jammu, and on to the Kashmir valley. They also pointed to the risk of escalating Fidayeen attacks after a possible ceasefire. Following the end of the Kargil war, the JeM and LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) intensified operations, killing a record 763 military and police personnel in 1999, another 788 in 2000, and 883 in 2001, the year before a ceasefire was brokered on the Line of Control, according to the South Asia Terrorism Portal. Those fatalities far exceeded India's losses in the Kargil war itself. 'The real worry is that the heavy firing on the LoC pushes our troops to take defensive cover, which makes infiltration much easier,' a senior Jammu and Kashmir Police officer told ThePrint. 'There are already worrying signs that infiltration has taken place through Gulmarg and Rajouri.' In his 8 May letter, Azhar writes: 'It has been 36 hours since India's cowardly and murderous attack, and people are still awaiting retribution. The Indian jets that were downed were not revenge or retribution. The aircraft did what they had come to do. They could not be stopped. Technology these days makes that problematic. I don't want to blame anyone. The attack happened. Now, retaliatory action is vital.' He adds that if there is no retaliation, the alternative would be 'utter destruction—a destruction which will be unleashed upon by nature'. 'This destruction descends on those Muslims who forsake their faith. The undoing of the Tartars was that they got scared and ended up being annihilated. Those who held their ground alone survived. For God's sake, understand the Quran and save your country. Whoever decides to initiate a retaliatory action will be the true hero and leader of this country, and will have the respect of the world on the day of judgment.' He further writes: 'We are not asking for revenge for the blood that was spilt. This was very pure and priceless blood. This blood has already started taking its revenge, and the inheritors of this blood understand their responsibilities.' Invoking the 'martyrs' An earlier missive, issued on 7 May, had pointed to personal losses, saying, 'The home in which we lived had four children, aged between four and 10, and they have all moved to Paradise together. Their parents are alone now. This journey to Paradise is reserved for those Allah loves the most. Their time of departure was destined, but they have been given eternal life. This action of India has broken all limits. Nobody on his side should hope for mercy. The destroyed dome of the Jama Masjid will rain such hell that will be remembered by many generations to come.' Although Azhar's JeM occupies a limited space in Pakistani Punjab's religious landscape, it is enmeshed with a broader network of right-wing groups, like the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan and the Tablighi Jama'at. These networks of organisations have often succeeded in mounting pressure on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government and the army itself. (Edited by Mannat Chugh) Also Read: Fidayeen factories of Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke, Jaish in Bahawalpur targeted in Operation Sindoor
News18
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Operation Sindoor: Hafiz Saeed's Son Talha Saeed Killed In Indian Strike On LeT Base?
Last Updated: Lashkar-e-Taiba's Muzaffarabad terror training camp destroyed in India's Operation Sindoor was said to be overseen by Talha Saeed, the son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed In a high-stakes operation, India on Wednesday launched a precision airstrike deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), destroying several terror hubs, including a major Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) training facility in Muzaffarabad. The operation, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack last month, where 26 tourists were brutally killed by terrorists believed to have been trained at this very camp. Military sources confirmed that the terror camp razed in the strike was a central node in LeT's terror infrastructure, allegedly overseen by Talha Saeed, the son of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed. Talha, long considered the second-in-command of the group, is said to have used the Muzaffarabad terror facility as a base for both tactical operations and recruitment. According to sources, five of Talha's top commanders – possibly including Abdul Rehman, the reported mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack – were killed in the Muzaffarabad airstrike. 'The camp has been completely flattened," said a senior military source, speaking on condition of anonymity, adding that bodies were strewn across the rubble and blood covered what remained of the walls. 'This was not a symbolic strike, it was a decisive message," he said. While there is no official confirmation yet on whether Talha Saeed himself was at the camp during the strike, speculation is rife. Intelligence agencies are closely analysing aerial reconnaissance and intercepted communications to determine his fate. If confirmed, his death would be the most significant blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) since his father Hafiz Saeed's arrest in 2023. Talha, believed to be in his late 30s, had taken operational control of the Muzaffarabad terror camp following his father's detention. Described as both a strategist and financier, he reportedly orchestrated complex training regimens for young recruits aged between 18 and 25, focusing on guerrilla tactics, bomb-making, and advanced weapon handling. The same cadre, according to Indian intelligence, was deployed in the Pahalgam massacre. Moreover, Talha is known to have built an elaborate funding network, raising money through alleged donors in other nations, and even leveraging social media platforms to solicit funds under the guise of religious charity. These resources, officials say, were funnelled directly into the procurement of arms and operational planning for cross-border terror attacks. The Muzaffarabad terror camp had been under India's surveillance for months. The Operation Sindoor airstrike, which involved precision-guided munitions and real-time satellite coordination, is being viewed as a tactical masterstroke by defence circles. 'They thought they would strike and vanish, but this time, there was no escape. We hit them where it hurt the most," said one official. First Published:
India.com
29-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Pahalgam Terror Attack: How Security Forces Are Closing In On Terrorists Involved
The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Armed Police Forces have been combing the dense forests and hilly terrain of Kashmir in search of the 4-5 terrorists involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. Having identified the terrorists and released their sketches, the security forces have located the terrorists four times and even exchanged fire once. However, due to the dense terrain, they managed to escape. Two Pakistani terrorists suspected of killing 26 people in Pahalgam are believed to have infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir about 18 months ago, reports suggest. The group is thought to have crossed into India through the Samba-Kathua region by breaching the border fence and has since been linked to multiple terror activities. Anantnag Police have identified the two Pakistani nationals as Ali Bhai, also known as Talha, and Hashim Musa, who also goes by the alias Suleiman. A senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Police stated that authorities are relying on technical intelligence and assistance from local tribal communities to track the suspects. The Army is employing advanced technology, including mini-drones, and helicopters have been deployed to aid the search operations. Police have issued sketches of the two Pakistani terrorists along with a local Lashkar-e-Taiba recruit, Adil Hussain Thoker, who is suspected to be the third attacker involved in the Pahalgam incident. A reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for any information leading to their capture. Initial sightings placed the terrorists in the forests near Hapat Nar village in Anantnag's Pahalgam tehsil. However, they managed to evade capture by exploiting the dense forest cover. Due to the terrorist attack, tensions have been prevailing between India and Pakistan. Both nations are gearing up for further escalation with Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif claiming an imminent military incursion by India.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pahalgam attackers likely part of earlier strikes on non-Kashmiris with Pakistani handlers
Investigators probing the brutal attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead are now focusing on a possible coordinated terror strategy that may tie the massacre to two earlier strikes targeting non-Kashmiris. Officials suspect the same group of Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, including both Pakistani and local militants, may be behind all three incidents, ToI reported on Friday. On Thursday, Jammu and Kashmir Police announced cash rewards of Rs 20 lakh each for information leading to the capture of three wanted terrorists: local Kashmiri Adil Hussain Thokar and two Pakistani nationals, Hasim Musa alias Suleiman and Ali Bhai alias Talha. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Vellore: The price (& size) of these hearing aids might surprise you Learn More Undo Read more: Jammu Kashmir Pahalgam Terror Attack Live Updates Was Pahalgam massacre part of a larger conspiracy? According to sources involved in the probe, there's growing evidence linking the Pahalgam carnage to two previous attacks in October 2024. One occurred in Gagangir (Ganderbal), where six migrant workers and a local doctor were killed. The other took place in Buta Pathri (Baramulla), claiming the lives of two Army personnel and two porters. Live Events Investigators believe these attacks were not isolated events but part of a broader campaign by Pakistan-based handlers to target non-locals in Kashmir. "Data recovered from mobile device, including chats, established that Pakistani masterminds had guided the terrorists during the Gagangir and Buta Pathri attacks. With the same assailants and motive seen in the Pahalgam strike, things point to a common set of conspirators based in Pakistan," said a senior security source. Among the three identified terrorists, Musa appears to be the most deeply entrenched. His name has surfaced in all three attacks, and he is believed to have narrowly escaped an earlier encounter in Sopore. His associates, Arbaaz Mir and Junaid Bhat, both residents of Kulgam, had also received terror training in Pakistan before returning to the Valley. They were killed in separate operations in late 2024. A key breakthrough came after forces killed Arbaaz Mir in Anantnag. From the encounter site, security personnel recovered a cache of arms along with a mobile phone. Chats on the device reportedly exposed communication between the attackers and their handlers across the border. More crucially, a photograph found on the phone — showing four armed men — was shown to survivors of the Pahalgam attack , who identified three of them: Musa, Talha, and Thokar. Read more: Indian Army effectively responds to firing by Pakistan along LoC Pahalgam attack: The investigation so far Adil Thokar , also known as Adil Guree, is a resident of Anantnag and currently at large. His family and suspected overground supporters are being questioned to track his movements and identify safehouses or accomplices. Security officials are also examining the role of Asif Shaikh, a Lashkar operative from Awantipora, who is believed to have provided logistical support for the Pahalgam attackers. Active in the Tral-Kulgam-Pulwama belt, Shaikh's local network is under scrutiny. To uncover the full extent of the conspiracy, agencies are sifting through nearly two lakh mobile calls made or received around the Pahalgam area on the day of the attack. Also read: Pakistan suspends Simla Agreement, shuts border, trade & airspace to Indian airlines 'We are trying to find any conversations among the overground workers and other facilitators regarding the Pahalgam attack plan or the shelter/logistics arranged by local terror guides. One careless call, even though terrorists now rely on secure apps like Ultra to communicate, could unravel the conspiracy and the key players,' a senior officer explained. The attack has prompted a sharp security response. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has directed forces to 'avenge the killing' and ordered fresh mapping of vulnerable locations across Jammu and Kashmir, including tourist destinations and settlements of migrant labourers. (With ToI inputs)
