1 week ago
Indian Assessments Say ISI Tightens Security Around Hafiz Saeed
Indian security officials say Hafiz Saeed is facing a higher risk of being attacked.
They claim Pakistan’s intelligence agency has therefore placed more guards around him.
Saeed is described as living mainly in a fortified house in Lahore instead of openly moving around.
Pakistan says he has been jailed since 2019, but Indian officials dispute that account.
Officials say Saeed has been stopped from visiting militant training and recruitment camps.
They also say his meetings with followers are now closely controlled.
Lashkar-e-Taiba is reportedly rebuilding after Operation Sindoor damaged one of its main facilities.
Saeed is facing legal action in India over the Pahalgam and Mumbai 26/11 attacks.
Indian officials say the case could also affect Pakistan’s position with the Financial Action Task Force.
Indian intelligence assessments say Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence has significantly increased security around Hafiz Saeed.
Officials cite multiple alleged assassination attempts, internal Lashkar-e-Taiba power struggles, and the killing of several senior aides.
Saeed is reportedly confined to fortified locations in Lahore and barred from visiting training or radicalisation camps.
The assessments say Lashkar-e-Taiba is rebuilding after Operation Sindoor, including the destruction of its main training facility in Muridke.
India’s National Investigation Agency has named Saeed in connection with the Pahalgam attack and plans trials in absentia related to that attack and the 26/11 attacks.
- Who
- Hafiz Saeed, founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba; Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence; and Indian security and investigative agencies.
- What
- Indian assessments say the Inter-Services Intelligence has sharply increased security around Saeed and restricted his public and organisational activities.
- Where
- Saeed is reportedly housed in fortified locations in Lahore, including a safe house near Mohalla Johar and, at times, Mian Mir Cantonment.
- When
- The heightened restrictions reportedly followed multiple alleged assassination attempts in recent months and Operation Sindoor; Saeed reportedly attended such meetings until the end of 2024.
- Why
- Officials attribute the measures to assassination threats, internal disputes within Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the group’s rebuilding efforts after Operation Sindoor.
Indian Officials’ Assessment
Pakistan’s Stated Position
Saeed’s location and treatment
Indian Officials’ Assessment
Indian officials say Saeed is living in a fortified Lahore safe house and is being protected by the Inter-Services Intelligence rather than held in ordinary imprisonment.
Pakistan’s Stated Position
Pakistan claims Saeed has been jailed at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore since 2019.
Reason for increased security
Indian Officials’ Assessment
Indian assessments attribute the heightened security to multiple assassination attempts, internal Lashkar-e-Taiba power struggles, and fears of losing a key leader.
Pakistan’s Stated Position
The article does not provide a separate Pakistani explanation for the reported security increase.
Saeed’s alleged role
Indian Officials’ Assessment
Indian agencies have named Saeed in connection with the Pahalgam attack and the Mumbai 26/11 attacks, with trials in absentia planned.
Pakistan’s Stated Position
The article reports Pakistan’s claim that Saeed is imprisoned for terror financing, but does not provide its response to the newer Indian allegations.
Key facts
- Security agency
- Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence is reported to have increased manpower and screening around Saeed.
- Reported residence
- Indian officials say Saeed lives mainly in a fortified safe house in Lahore, while Pakistan says he has been in Kot Lakhpat jail since 2019.
- Movement restrictions
- He has reportedly been barred from visiting training and radicalisation camps in recent months.
- Communication limits
- Large-scale video meetings are reportedly permitted only rarely; Saeed is said to send audio messages to cadres.
- Lashkar-e-Taiba losses
- Operation Sindoor reportedly destroyed the group’s primary training facility in Muridke.
- Indian legal action
- The National Investigation Agency has named Saeed in connection with the Pahalgam attack and plans proceedings in absentia.
- International pressure
- Indian officials say the case could affect Pakistan’s position with the Financial Action Task Force.
Sources
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