New Delhi: Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Saifullah Kasuri, identified as a key orchestrator of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, delivered a provocative speech in Lahore on Wednesday. Flanked by Pakistan's security forces, including officials from the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Kasuri openly celebrated his notoriety following the massacre of civilians allegedly targeted for their faith.
Addressing the rally, Kasuri declared, "I have become more famous since being accused of the attack," demonstrating defiance in the face of international condemnation. He shared the stage with Talha Saeed, the son of Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and designated a terrorist by the U.S., along with Malik Ahmad Khan, Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. This public endorsement by Pakistani political and intelligence figures starkly contradicts claimed efforts to curb terrorism.
Talha Saeed praised Pakistan's Bunyan al-Marsoos operation, describing it as retaliation to India's Operation Sindoor, while asserting, "Allah loves those who engage in jihad," sentiments enthusiastically echoed by Kasuri and others present. The speeches appeared intended to galvanize jihadi members following India's precise strikes on Lashkar headquarters in Muridke that eliminated several militants.
Kasuri directly referenced Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks, stating, "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)." Modi had previously warned Pakistan to cease sponsoring terrorism or face India's military response. Previously denying involvement in the Pahalgam attack, Kasuri used the rally to openly embrace responsibility and hostility.
He claimed that Pakistan had avenged the losses of the 1971 war and criticized India’s historical partition, praising Pakistan’s cyber teams for targeting critical Indian infrastructure such as communications and railways. Kasuri further sought political support from his hometown in Kasur, expressing intent to contest future elections against Modi as "a thorn in India’s side."
The rally also underscored Pakistan’s narrative of defiance, with Kasuri asserting that despite India’s efforts to isolate Pakistan and certain individuals, it is India that remains isolated. Intelligence reports place Kasuri at the Kanganpur army base prior to the Pahalgam attack, where he motivated Pakistani soldiers and vocally condemned India.
Under the directives of Hafiz Saeed, Kasuri alongside Talha Saeed and Sheikh Sajjad Gul of The Resistance Front reportedly facilitated the deployment of highly trained terrorists for what they described as a "spectacular attack" in Pahalgam. Kasuri previously served as president of the Milli Muslim League and was involved with Jamaat-ud-Dawa, Lashkar's charitable wing. Following the attack, these groups have increased public rallies to raise funds purportedly supporting the Kashmir jihad.
This public display of militant defiance, supported by Pakistan's political and intelligence establishments, highlights the ongoing challenges in regional security and counterterrorism efforts.
