Islamabad: A senior figure linked to the Pakistan-based militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba was critically injured after being shot by unidentified assailants in Lahore on Thursday, officials and local reports said.
The injured man has been identified as Amir Hamza, a founding member of the group. He was reportedly attacked outside a media office in the city, where gunmen opened fire before fleeing the scene. He was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in a serious condition.
Hamza, believed to be in his mid-60s, has long been associated with the leadership of Lashkar-e-Taiba and is considered one of its key ideologues. He co-founded the organisation along with Hafiz Saeed in the mid-1980s. Over the years, he has been linked to various extremist activities and has been designated as a terrorist by the United States.
Known for his speeches and writings, Hamza also played a role in shaping the group’s propaganda machinery. He edited its publications and authored several books, including a work released in 2022 focusing on ideological themes.
In recent years, reports suggested that he had distanced himself from the organisation following a crackdown by Pakistani authorities on networks linked to banned groups. However, intelligence inputs indicated that he continued to maintain influence and was allegedly involved in raising funds through alternative channels.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the shooting, but no group has claimed responsibility so far. Security agencies are examining possible motives, including internal rivalries or targeted retaliation.
The incident has once again drawn attention to the presence and activities of proscribed organisations operating in the region, even amid ongoing enforcement actions.
