Pakistani Minister Defends LeT Commander After Pahalgam Attack

In a controversial move, Pakistani politician Malik Ahmad Khan defended Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Saifullah Khalid—accused of masterminding the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The strike killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists, and sparked international outrage.

Khan appeared alongside Khalid at a public rally in Pakistan’s Punjab province, where Khalid denied involvement and condemned India’s accusations. Khalid, also known as Saifullah Kasuri, called the charges baseless and used the platform to praise terrorists, labeling those killed by Indian forces as "martyrs" and spewing anti-India rhetoric.

Khalid said, “We will not be intimidated by bullets. We want martyrdom.” Also present at the rally was Talha Saeed, son of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed. The Resistance Front (TRF), a known LeT front, claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam massacre, where attackers reportedly identified victims by religion before executing them.

Following the attack, India launched 'Operation Sindoor' on May 7–8, targeting terror camps across the Pakistan border. Over 100 terrorists were killed, and several camps destroyed, showcasing a major escalation in India’s counter-terror strategy.

The Indian government has registered a case against Khalid, while Pakistan’s open support for him has drawn sharp criticism. Indian officials warn that such political backing of terrorists by Islamabad worsens bilateral ties and raises questions about Pakistan’s commitment to fighting extremism.

New Delhi is expected to respond diplomatically, urging global action against Pakistan’s harboring of terrorists. The rally’s optics—Pakistani leaders publicly endorsing known terrorists—could further isolate Islamabad internationally and reignite calls for sanctions.

This development also underscores growing concerns that despite mounting global pressure, Pakistan continues to provide safe havens and public platforms to terror leaders involved in cross-border violence.