Saifullah Kasuri, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has publicly acknowledged his close ties with Pakistan’s military and reiterated the organization’s intent to continue its operations in Jammu and Kashmir. According to a report by India Today, Kasuri made the remarks during a function at a school in Pakistan, where he reportedly addressed students while boasting about his links with the Pakistani army.

Kasuri, who serves as the deputy chief of the Hafiz Saeed-led Lashkar-e-Taiba, is a globally designated terrorist and is believed to have played a key role in several major attacks, including the 2017 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed 26 lives. Over the years, he has been identified by Indian intelligence agencies as one of the masterminds of cross-border terror activities that have targeted Indian civilians and security personnel.

In the video shared with the media, Kasuri allegedly claimed that he receives regular invitations from the Pakistan Army for official events. “The Pakistan Army invites me by sending an invitation… The Pakistan Army invites me to lead funeral prayers for its soldiers,” he reportedly said. His statements underscore the long-suspected nexus between Pakistan-based terror groups and elements within the Pakistani military, a link that India has consistently raised in bilateral and multilateral forums.

Kasuri further alleged that India is apprehensive about him and his organization. He criticized Indian military operations targeting terror camps, specifically referring to ‘Operation Sindoor’, a tri-services action carried out by the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force against multiple terrorist hideouts across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. “India made a big mistake in Operation Sindoor by targeting only terrorist hideouts,” he was heard saying. He also asserted that LeT will “not rest on the Kashmir issue,” indicating the group’s ongoing focus on cross-border militancy in the region.

The Pahalgam attack in 2017, for which Kasuri is alleged to have played a significant role, involved the targeted killing of civilians traveling in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. In response to the attack, India conducted the high-profile ‘Operation Sindoor’ to neutralize LeT camps. The strikes targeted nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and were described by the Indian Ministry of Defence as a major counter-terrorism operation. The strikes, however, led to heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, sparking a four-day military confrontation that ultimately concluded with a ceasefire understanding on May 10 of that year.

Kasuri’s recent statements have drawn sharp attention in India, as they reaffirm the longstanding concerns regarding the state-supported infrastructure for terrorism in Pakistan. Analysts note that such public statements serve both domestic propaganda purposes within Pakistan and international signaling to India, reinforcing the perceived invulnerability of LeT leaders due to their backing by the Pakistani establishment.

The global designation of Kasuri as a terrorist stems from his direct involvement in planning and facilitating attacks against Indian civilians, security forces, and other strategic targets. His role as a close aide to Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba, places him at the center of operational planning for cross-border terrorist activities. Saeed himself remains under international scrutiny, with sanctions imposed by the United Nations and several countries for his involvement in promoting terror networks targeting India.

Indian security agencies have consistently highlighted the challenges posed by groups like LeT, which operate with tacit or overt support from elements within the Pakistani military and intelligence apparatus. The operational freedom afforded to such groups, as claimed by Kasuri, reflects the difficulties in completely neutralizing cross-border threats despite proactive intelligence and military measures by India.

The remarks also come amid ongoing regional tensions over the Kashmir issue, which remains a flashpoint between India and Pakistan. While international efforts have sought to curb cross-border terrorism and facilitate dialogue between the two nations, statements like Kasuri’s emphasize that militant networks continue to view Kashmir as a strategic and ideological battleground.

In response to previous attacks, India has emphasized a multi-pronged approach to counter terrorism, combining intelligence-led operations, diplomatic pressure, and strategic defense readiness along the Line of Control and other sensitive border areas. Operations like ‘Sindoor’ highlight India’s willingness to conduct precise, targeted actions to disrupt terrorist infrastructure, even beyond national borders, though they carry inherent risks of escalation.

Kasuri’s admission of his ties to the Pakistan Army, if verified, could potentially intensify diplomatic and security concerns between the two countries. Such statements are likely to reinforce India’s long-standing narrative that certain terrorist organizations in Pakistan operate with the backing or acquiescence of state agencies, thereby complicating peace and security efforts in the region.

The video of Kasuri addressing school students, as reported, could not be independently verified by media outlets, including HT.com, highlighting the challenges of confirming propaganda materials circulated by terror networks. Nevertheless, the content of the remarks aligns with historical patterns of LeT leaders openly boasting about their operational freedom and links with Pakistani authorities, serving both recruitment and morale-boosting functions within the organization.

In conclusion, Saifullah Kasuri’s recent statements underscore the persistent threat posed by Lashkar-e-Taiba and other Pakistan-based terrorist groups, while also drawing attention to the alleged support they receive from elements within the Pakistani military. With his public declaration of links to the army and continued intent to pursue terror operations in Kashmir, Kasuri reinforces the need for vigilant counter-terrorism strategies, robust intelligence sharing, and continued diplomatic engagement to address cross-border militancy and protect civilian lives in India.