**Title:** Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Calls for Violence Ahead of Pahalgam Attack
**Meta Description:** Just days before the Pahalgam massacre, a Lashkar-e-Taiba leader incited violence at a rally in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, raising concerns over renewed terrorism in Kashmir.
**URL Slug:** lashkar-e-taiba-commander-violence-pahalgam
**Headline:** Lashkar-e-Taiba Leader Incites Violence Days Before Pahalgam Massacre
In a troubling development just days before the tragic massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists lost their lives, a commander of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) openly called for jihad and bloodshed in Kashmir. This rally took place on April 18 in Khai Gala, Rawalkot, located in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), and was attended by several prominent terrorist leaders. The event was organized as a tribute to two LeT militants who had been killed by Indian forces.
LeT commander Abu Musa, who heads the Jammu Kashmir United Movement (JKUM), used the platform to denounce the abrogation of Article 370 and alleged attempts to alter the demographic landscape of Kashmir. In a video that has since gone viral and been verified by Indian intelligence agencies, Musa stated, “India removed Article 370 and 35A to change the demography. You deployed your 10 lakh army. You wanted to echo ‘Ram Ram’ in Pulwama, Poonch, Rajouri. Lashkar-e-Taiba accepts your challenge. Modi, inside your closed courtrooms, you passed your orders. But the battlefield belongs to the mujahideen. Try it, Inshallah, we will shower bullets, slit your necks, and honour the sacrifices of our martyrs.”
The timing of this incitement to violence is particularly alarming, coinciding with one of the deadliest terrorist attacks on tourists in Kashmir in recent years. The April 18 rally was framed as a “tribute conference” for militants Akif Haleem and Abdul Wahab, both of whom were killed during the ongoing Operation All-Out by Indian forces. Haleem was eliminated in Kupwara on March 17, while Wahab, linked to LeT and its affiliate PAFF (People’s Anti-Fascist Front), was neutralized in Sopore on April 24, 2024. Both militants hailed from the same family in PoK.
Despite assurances from the Awami Action Committee that no terrorist organizations would be involved, the gathering turned into a display of strength for LeT supporters. Intelligence sources reported that multiple active LeT operatives were present, openly celebrating the deaths of their “martyrs” and issuing threats of further violence.
The rally in Khai Gala appeared to have logistical support from Pakistani authorities, raising concerns about renewed infiltration efforts as summer approaches. Traditional infiltration routes through Kupwara, Poonch, and Rajouri are expected to become more accessible, heightening fears of increased militant activity in the region.
In conclusion, the recent rally and the subsequent call for violence underscore the ongoing tensions in Kashmir and the potential for further escalations in terrorist activities. The international community must remain vigilant as the situation develops.
**FAQ:**
**Q: What was the significance of the rally held by Lashkar-e-Taiba in April 2024?**
A: The rally was significant as it coincided with a deadly attack on tourists in Pahalgam and featured calls for violence against India, raising concerns about renewed terrorist activities in Kashmir.
