Lashkar-e-Taiba Financier Gunned Down
In a brazen daylight attack, Abdul Rehman, a key financier of the notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and close aide to 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Karachi, Pakistan, on March 31, 2025. The killing, captured on video, has sent shockwaves through the region, raising questions about the motives behind the hit and its fallout for India-Pakistan relations.
Details of the Attack:
The attack unfolded in broad daylight on March 31, 2025, in a busy Karachi neighborhood. According to reports, two assailants on a motorcycle approached a shop where Abdul Rehman was standing. Video footage circulating online shows the gunmen opening fire, striking Rehman multiple times before fleeing the scene. The precision and speed of the assault suggest a well-planned operation. Pakistani police have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, but no arrests have been reported as of April 2, 2025.
Who Was Targeted?
Abdul Rehman was no ordinary figure. Identified as a prominent financier for Lashkar-e-Taiba, a Pakistan-based terrorist group responsible for numerous attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai massacre, Rehman played a critical role in funneling funds to sustain LeT’s operations. His close ties to Hafiz Saeed, the group’s founder and a globally designated terrorist, made him a high-value target. Rehman’s death marks the latest in a string of killings targeting Saeed’s inner circle, following the assassinations of Saeed’s nephew Abu Qatal and deputy Abdul Rehman Makki in recent months. This pattern underscores the vulnerability of LeT’s leadership amid escalating threats.
Possible Perpetrators:
The identity of the attackers remains unknown, fueling speculation about their motives. Several theories have emerged. Some suggest a local rivalry within Pakistan’s complex web of militant groups, possibly linked to sectarian tensions, given conflicting reports identifying Rehman as a leader in the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ). Others point to a covert intelligence operation, with whispers of involvement by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) or even Pakistan’s own Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) seeking to eliminate liabilities. The surgical nature of the attack and the lack of immediate claims of responsibility lend credence to the intelligence angle, though no hard evidence has surfaced.
Implications for India & Pakistan:
Rehman’s killing carries significant ramifications for the volatile India-Pakistan relationship. For India, which has long demanded action against LeT and Saeed, the death of a key operative could be seen as a win in its counterterrorism efforts, whether or not it had a direct hand in the operation. However, it may also heighten tensions if Pakistan accuses India of orchestrating extraterritorial strikes, a charge Islamabad has leveled in similar cases. In Pakistan, the incident exposes cracks in the state’s ability to protect its militant proxies, potentially forcing a rethink of its security strategy. Regionally, it could disrupt LeT’s financial networks, weakening its capacity to strike India, though it may also provoke retaliatory attacks as the group seeks to reassert its relevance.
Official Reactions:
As of April 2, 2025, Pakistani authorities have remained tight-lipped. A brief statement from Karachi police confirmed the killing and promised a thorough probe, but no mention was made of Rehman’s LeT ties. India has not officially commented, though security analysts in New Delhi have hailed the development as a blow to terrorism. Internationally, the U.S., which has designated both LeT and Saeed as terrorist entities, has yet to respond, but the incident aligns with its calls for Pakistan to crack down on such groups. Meanwhile, posts on X reflect a mix of Pakistani outrage over “unknown gunmen” and Indian speculation about covert justice, highlighting the polarized narratives shaping public discourse.
This killing, set against a backdrop of rising violence targeting LeT figures, signals a turbulent new chapter in South Asia’s security landscape—one where shadowy forces, state actors, and terrorist networks collide with unpredictable consequences.
By BHARAT GLOBAL TIME
