Saifullah, a recruiter for Lashkar-e-Taiba in Pakistan, was killed. Following Operation Sindur, Pakistani army and ISI increased security for top Lashkar terrorists, instructing Saifullah to limit his movements outside the home.
Pakistan: Saifullah Khalid, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist also known as Abu Saifullah, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan's Sindh province on Sunday. His body, draped in the Pakistani national flag, was given a funeral attended by several Lashkar terrorists. Saifullah headed Lashkar's Nepal module and was responsible for recruiting terrorists.
Saifullah's Terrorist Connections
Saifullah, based in Pakistan, recruited terrorists for Lashkar. He was also the mastermind behind the 2006 terrorist attack on the RSS headquarters. Following Operation Sindur, security for top Lashkar terrorists in Pakistan was heightened. The Pakistani army and ISI focused on restricting the movement of Lashkar terrorists to minimize their exposure.
Saifullah was also under these instructions to limit his movements outside the home. Despite this, his assassination has sent shockwaves through the entire terrorist network.
Security Measures After Operation Sindur
Operation Sindur was a major Indian military operation targeting a key Lashkar base in Muridke. The operation involved the destruction of the Lashkar base using missiles. Subsequently, security for key Lashkar terrorists in Pakistan was increased due to fears of further Indian action by the Pakistani army and ISI.
In recent months, several high-profile Lashkar terrorists have been killed. These include Abu Qatal, a close associate of Hafiz Saeed and a most-wanted terrorist in India; Hanjala Adnan; and Riyaz Ahmed, alias Abu Qasim. These killings are believed to be part of an ongoing power struggle and intelligence conflict within Pakistan's terrorist groups.
Increasing Difficulties for Hafiz Saeed and his Associates
Several close associates of Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed have been killed in various Pakistani cities. Recently, a suicide attack near Hafiz Saeed's home in Lahore narrowly missed him. These incidents indicate rising tensions between terrorist groups and intelligence agencies within Pakistan.
Hafiz Saeed's son, Talha Saeed, along with other most-wanted terrorists, are now under increased security. The Pakistani army and ISI have instructed these terrorists to minimize their movements to ensure their safety.
Impact of Saifullah's Assassination on Terrorism
Saifullah's assassination has dealt a blow to Lashkar's terrorist network. He headed the Nepal module, which sought to spread terrorism between India and Nepal. His death will likely impact Lashkar's activities in the region.
Furthermore, the continued assassinations of several high-profile terrorists are weakening Lashkar, benefiting Indian security agencies. This indicates an intensification of the counter-terrorism efforts.
