Funeral of Habib Tahir Sparks Controversy

The funeral of Habib Tahir, a terrorist involved in the April 22 attack in Jammu & Kashmir, took place last week in his native village in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Tahir was killed by Indian security forces during an encounter in Srinagar on July 28. His death and subsequent funeral have reignited discussions about Pakistan’s involvement in cross-border terrorism, particularly concerning the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistan’s Alleged Complicity in Terrorism

The presence of Pakistani military personnel at funerals of terrorists has been a contentious issue. Previously, members of the Pakistan Army attended the funerals of terrorists killed during India’s Operation Sindoor, which was launched to retaliate against the killing of 26 tourists, including a Nepali citizen, in Pahalgam. The terrorists were linked to Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), led by Hafiz Saeed.

Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Role and International Reactions

Habib Tahir was reportedly recruited by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terror group. The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of LeT, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack and has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. The involvement of LeT highlights ongoing concerns about terror networks operating from Pakistan.

Unexpected Turn at Tahir’s Funeral

The funeral took an unexpected turn when Rizwan Hanif, a local LeT commander, arrived with armed men despite being barred by Tahir’s family. A confrontation ensued when Hanif’s nephew allegedly threatened mourners with a gun, causing public outrage. This incident underscores tensions within PoK regarding terrorist activities and their impact on local communities.

Shifts in Pakistani Policy

There are signs of a shift in Pakistani state policy as police have begun taking action against events organized by terrorist groups. Public activities by such groups have reportedly decreased. In May, India released names of top Pakistani officials who attended funerals of LeT terrorists killed during Operation Sindoor, further complicating diplomatic relations.

Muridke: A Hub for Terrorist Training

Muridke, known as the “terror nursery” of Pakistan, serves as the headquarters for LeT. Reports indicate that Pahalgam terrorists received training there. Despite Pakistan’s claims of dismantling LeT, the investigation into the Pahalgam attack remains inconclusive.