Hafiz Saeed, known for leading the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, is reportedly critically ill in the ICU, dealing with an unspecified health issue. This has led to widespread rumors and suspicions. There have been renewed claims that India might be involved in covert operations in Pakistan, including targeted killings. Similar allegations have been made in the US and Canada, where it’s suggested that Indian intelligence might have played a role in attempts to eliminate exiles. These developments are straining India’s diplomatic ties, as reported by ET online.
Social media is abuzz following the unexpected hospitalization of Hafiz Saeed, a prominent figure associated with terrorism in Pakistan. His medical emergency has reignited rumors about Indian covert activities in Pakistan, increasing tensions between the two nations.
Hospital Stay for Hafiz Saeed : Hafiz Saeed, known for his leadership of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, is in critical condition in the ICU due to an undisclosed ailment. The sudden turn in his health has triggered widespread speculation and various conspiracy theories, with some questioning the possibility of underhanded tactics at play.
Twitter Reacts:On Twitter, #HafizSaeed has been trending, with users expressing a range of opinions. Some view his illness as a karmic outcome, given his past actions, while others see it as a strategic move to eliminate a perceived threat.
Accusations of Indian Involvement : India has firmly rejected claims of its participation in the supposed targeting of terrorists within Pakistan. Indian officials have labeled such accusations as elements of Pakistani propaganda.
The global community recognizes Pakistan as a hub for terrorism, organized crime, and illicit cross-border activities. India, along with several other nations, has consistently cautioned Pakistan that its ongoing engagement with terror and violence could ultimately lead to its own downfall. This was highlighted in a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs during a briefing in January.
At a January press briefing, Pakistan’s senior diplomat presented what he termed as “reliable proof” of Indian complicity in a series of killings. Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajad Qazi characterized these incidents as contract killings, implicating a complex global network operating across various regions.
According to Qazi, among the alleged victims was Muhammad Riaz, who was killed in September 2023 in the region of Kashmir controlled by Pakistan, followed by the death of Shahid Latif in Sialkot, Punjab, a month later. Indian media reported Riaz as a leading figure in the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) group, linked to the 2008 attacks in Mumbai, while Latif was said to be connected with the Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) organization and purportedly involved in the 2016 assault on the Pathankot airbase.
Global Repercussions: India faces accusations beyond its tensions with Pakistan. Authorities in the United States and Canada have leveled claims that Indian intelligence agencies are implicated in conspiracies to target dissidents residing within their borders. These allegations are creating additional complexities in India’s international diplomatic engagements.
Claims of Indian Activities Abroad: New claims have emerged pointing to India’s supposed participation in targeted killings outside its territory. Such suspicions, emerging alongside stories of India’s involvement in the deaths of Pakistani individuals, have captured the spotlight internationally, with the United States and Canada taking particular notice.
Accusations Against India on the International Stage: Recent assertions suggest India may be engaged in extraterritorial targeted eliminations. These claims, which seem to align with narratives of India’s alleged actions resulting in fatalities among Pakistanis, are now under global scrutiny, with heightened attention from both the US and Canada.
In August, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directly accused India of involvement in the death of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijar in the vicinity of Vancouver. This has notably increased tensions between India and Canada.
India has strongly rejected any connection to Nijar’s death and has announced that it is looking into the claims made by American legal authorities. The country’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar has stressed that conducting targeted assassinations abroad is not in line with India’s practices.
Impact on Pakistan: Should the recent deaths be traced back to Indian intelligence, it would cast doubt on the competence of Pakistan’s security forces. If Indian security forces are indeed involved, it might suggest a tactical change by New Delhi aimed at disrupting Pakistan’s ability to fuel unrest in Kashmir.
While Hafiz Saeed’s medical condition continues to be a subject of public interest and conjecture, the wider repercussions of these accusations on regional stability and the relationship between India and Pakistan are too significant to overlook. The circumstances are continually evolving, and social media is notably influencing both domestic sentiment and global viewpoints.
(The author Girish Linganna of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: [email protected])