May 18, 2025
In a major incident, Saifullah Khalid, a top operative of the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was gunned down by unknown attackers in Pakistan’s Sindh province on Sunday. Khalid, also known as Razaullah Nizamani and Abu Saifullah, was implicated in several major terrorist attacks in India.
Assassination Details
According to reports, Khalid was gunned down in Matli, a town in the Badin district of Sindh, while he was returning home. Despite having been advised by Pakistani authorities to limit his movements following recent escalations, he was attacked near his residence. The attackers have not yet been identified, and authorities are continuing their investigation into the incident.
Involvement in Terror Activities
Khalid played a central role in Lashkar-e-Taiba’s activities and was linked to planning multiple major terror attacks in India:
- The 2005 assault targeting the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru.
- The 2006 attempted attack on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in Nagpur.
- The 2008 attack on a CRPF camp located in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh.
These attacks resulted in multiple casualties and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Role in LeT and Activities in Nepal
Before relocating to Pakistan, Khalid operated under the alias “Vinode Kumar” in Nepal, where he was involved in recruiting operatives, managing finances, and facilitating the movement of terrorists across the Indo-Nepal border. He was closely associated with senior LeT leaders, including Azam Cheema and Yaqoob, and played a significant role in expanding the organization’s network in South Asia.
Implications of His Death
Khalid’s assassination comes shortly after India’s Operation Sindoor, a series of targeted strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 100 terrorists. While it’s unclear if his killing is directly linked to these operations, his death is considered a significant blow to LeT’s leadership and operational capabilities.
Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring the situation, and further details are awaited as investigations continue.
