A rare public statement by a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-linked operative has reignited debate over a series of mysterious killings of terrorists inside Pakistan. In a video now circulating widely on social media, LeT operative Rizwan Hanif claimed that more than 30 members of the Pakistan-based terror outfit had been killed over the past three to four years in what he described as an operation carried out by Indian intelligence agencies.
The remarks are significant because they represent one of the clearest acknowledgements from an individual associated with the banned terror organisation that the group has suffered repeated losses in recent years. While Pakistan has frequently accused India of orchestrating targeted killings on its soil, New Delhi has consistently denied such allegations.
LeT Operative Alleges Targeted Campaign
Addressing supporters in a speech believed to have been recorded in May, Rizwan Hanif claimed that LeT operatives had been systematically targeted across multiple cities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to Hanif, the attacks occurred in locations including Karachi, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot.
He alleged that Indian intelligence agencies had adopted what he called an “unknown gunman model” to eliminate members of the organisation.
“Over the past three to four years, more than 30 of our people have been killed by Indian intelligence agents,” Hanif claimed during the address.
The statement marks an unusual public admission from a Lashkar-linked figure regarding the scale of casualties allegedly suffered by the outfit in recent years.
Series of Unexplained Killings
Over the last few years, several individuals linked to terrorist organisations operating from Pakistan have been killed by unidentified gunmen in different parts of the country.
These incidents have fuelled speculation about who was behind the attacks.
Pakistani authorities have repeatedly blamed India for the killings, alleging that Indian agencies were conducting covert operations inside Pakistan.
However, India has consistently rejected these accusations and has not accepted responsibility for any such incidents.
Hanif’s latest remarks have once again brought these mysterious killings into focus, although his claims remain unverified and have not been independently confirmed.
Claims of Fear Among Operatives
During his speech, Hanif alleged that members of the terror outfit were no longer able to operate freely because of the alleged campaign against them.
He claimed LeT members had been living under constant fear due to repeated attacks on their network.
According to him, the alleged targeting had disrupted the organisation’s activities in several regions.
These remarks suggest concerns within the outfit regarding the security of its members, though no official evidence was presented to support the allegations.
Hate Speech During Address
Apart from discussing the alleged killings, Hanif also delivered inflammatory remarks targeting followers of other religions.
During the speech, he claimed that LeT operatives were being targeted solely because of their religious beliefs and attempted to portray the organisation’s members as victims.
He went on to make derogatory comments against Hindus, Jews and followers of other faiths while asserting religious supremacy.
Such remarks reflect the extremist ideology long associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, which has been designated as a terrorist organisation by India, the United States, the United Nations and several other countries.
Background of Lashkar-e-Taiba
Lashkar-e-Taiba was established in Pakistan during the late 1980s by Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, Zafar Iqbal and Abdullah Azzam as the armed wing of Markaz-ud-Dawa-wal-Irshad.
Initially created during the Soviet-Afghan conflict, the organisation later shifted its primary focus towards Jammu and Kashmir.
Over the years, LeT has been linked to several major terror attacks and has faced international sanctions for its activities.
India and multiple Western governments have long alleged that the organisation has enjoyed support from elements within Pakistan’s security establishment, including its intelligence agencies. Pakistan has repeatedly denied providing institutional support to banned militant groups.
Rare Admission Draws Attention
Security experts note that organisations such as Lashkar-e-Taiba rarely acknowledge operational setbacks publicly.
For that reason, Hanif’s claim that more than 30 operatives had allegedly been killed has attracted considerable attention, even though the allegations regarding Indian involvement remain unverified.
The speech has once again highlighted the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan over cross-border terrorism and intelligence operations.
While Pakistan continues to accuse India of carrying out covert actions inside its territory, New Delhi maintains that such allegations are baseless.
With no independent verification available regarding Hanif’s claims, the latest statement is likely to intensify discussions surrounding the unexplained deaths of several terror operatives in Pakistan over recent years, while also drawing renewed attention to the internal security challenges faced by extremist organisations operating from the country.
