Unknown gunmen target head of Lashkar's political wing in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Maulana Kashif Ali, the head of the political wing of the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was shot dead on Monday at his residence in Swabi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, reports claim. Ali was a prominent figure in LeT, having led its political wing, the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a party founded by the group’s leader Hafiz Saeed in 2024.
The killing occurred when unknown gunmen attacked Ali’s residence, with visuals from the scene showing law enforcement and emergency responders outside the house. Ali, who was also the brother-in-law of Hafiz Saeed, India's most wanted terrorist, had been a key player in Lashkar’s political activities in Pakistan.
The motive behind the attack remains unclear, and no group has claimed responsibility for the assassination. Local authorities are investigating the incident, with some speculating that it could be linked to internal factionalism within the group or a targeted attack by rival militants.
Maulana Kashif Ali had played a significant role in furthering Lashkar's political ambitions through PMML, which aimed to legitimize the group’s influence in Pakistani politics. His death marks a significant blow to the political wing of the group, which has been active in Pakistan since its formation.
Lashkar-e-Taiba, which was responsible for several high-profile terrorist attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, is considered a terrorist organization by India, the United States, and several other countries. Authorities in Pakistan have not yet made any formal statements on the assassination.
