In a development that has raised alarm within security circles, a senior commander of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has publicly acknowledged links with Hamas, confirming meetings with its top leadership and fuelling concerns of an emerging global terror alliance.
Lashkar Commander Confesses to Hamas Meetings
Faisal Nadeem, a commander of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) — widely considered the political front of Lashkar-e-Taiba — admitted in a recent video accessed by NDTV that he met senior Hamas leaders in Doha, Qatar, in 2024.
Nadeem, who operates primarily in Pakistan’s Sindh province, said he was accompanied by Saifullah Kasuri, the alleged mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. During the visit, the duo met Khaled Mashal, a senior Hamas leader.
Indian intelligence officials say the admission offers direct evidence of coordination between terror networks operating across South Asia and the Middle East.
Evidence of Expanding Terror Coordination
Analysts believe the disclosure points to a growing alliance between Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba, aimed at sharing:
- Operational experience
- Logistics and training
- Fundraising networks
- Propaganda strategies
This is not the first such indication. On January 7, NDTV reported details of a meeting between senior Hamas commander Naji Zaheer and Lashkar leader Rashid Ali Sandhu in Gujranwala, Pakistan. The meeting occurred during a public event hosted by PMML and was revealed after an undated video surfaced showing both leaders sharing the stage.
Public Meetings Raise Security Red Flags
According to an investigation, Naji Zaheer attended the PMML event as the chief guest, while Sandhu appeared under the guise of a political leader. Security officials noted that the open and public nature of the meeting suggested growing confidence and deeper operational ties between the two groups.
Intelligence sources said Zaheer has reportedly visited Pakistan nearly 15 times since October 2023, further underlining sustained engagement.
Serious Global Security Implications
Counter-terrorism experts warn that coordination between Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba — both designated terrorist organisations by the United States and several other countries — could have serious regional and international consequences.
Indian intelligence agencies are closely monitoring developments and assessing potential responses, including:
- Legal and diplomatic action
- Raising the issue at international forums such as the Financial Action Task Force (FATF)
- Enhanced counter-terror surveillance
Officials believe the interactions indicate a strategic effort to build a broader ideological and operational terror network, potentially spanning multiple regions.
A Troubling Evolution in Global Terror Networks
The growing trail of videos, statements and intelligence inputs is increasingly pointing towards a coordinated front between Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba, analysts said. Such cross-regional cooperation marks a disturbing shift in the global terror landscape and poses heightened risks for India and the wider international community.
Indian intelligence agencies continue to track the evolving nexus closely amid concerns over future terrorist collaboration and escalation.