Big Setback for Lashkar-e-Taiba as Hafiz Saeed’s Financer Abdul Rehman is Killed
- International Affairs Pakistan South Asia
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 3 minutes read
In a significant development, Abdul Rehman, a key financier of the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and a close aide of its chief Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Karachi. The killing, which took place on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, was caught on camera and has raised serious questions about internal conflicts within terrorist networks in Pakistan. Abdul Rehman, known for his critical role in managing Lashkar-e-Taiba’s fundraising operations, was targeted by unidentified gunmen in Karachi. The attackers, who remain unknown, shot him in broad daylight, highlighting the increasing volatility within Pakistan’s militant circles. Rehman was instrumental in collecting and managing funds for LeT’s terrorist activities, serving as a crucial link between grassroots fund collectors and the outfit’s higher command. Eyewitness reports suggest that Rehman’s assassination was a well-planned attack, executed with precision. Security footage captured the moment he was gunned down, but as of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the killing. Given his significant position within LeT, speculation is rife about whether this was an internal purge or an attack orchestrated by rival factions.
Abdul Rehman was a pivotal figure in LeT’s financial network. As a trusted operative, he managed the distribution of funds collected from various sources to sustain the terrorist organization’s activities. His influence in Karachi was considerable, as he oversaw a network of fundraisers who brought in money from multiple regions. The killing of Rehman follows a pattern of targeted assassinations of LeT operatives in Pakistan. It comes just days after another close aide of Hafiz Saeed, Abu Qatal, was eliminated on March 16, raising suspicions about ongoing internal power struggles within the organization. Indian intelligence agencies had long been tracking Qatal, who had been on India’s most-wanted list for years. His death marked a significant victory in counterterrorism efforts against LeT’s operations.
The back-to-back assassinations of key LeT operatives raise several questions:
- Who was behind the killings? Were these attacks orchestrated by rival factions within LeT, foreign intelligence agencies, or Pakistan’s own security forces? Who are these unknown gunmen?
- Will Pakistan take stricter action against other top LeT leaders, or will it continue its policy of selective counterterrorism?
- How will these developments impact India-Pakistan relations, particularly in the context of cross-border terrorism?
The killings of Abdul Rehman and Abu Qatal mark a significant development in the ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks operating from Pakistan. Whether these are isolated incidents or part of a larger trend remains to be seen. However, one thing is clear—Lashkar-e-Taiba has suffered a considerable setback, and its operational structure may face further challenges in the coming months. As international scrutiny on Pakistan’s handling of terrorism intensifies, these eliminations could be the first of many in a shifting landscape of counterterrorism efforts.
