The revelation of Hafiz Saeed’s current location in Lahore—living openly under heavy Pakistani government protection—has reignited outrage and intensified tensions between India and Pakistan, particularly in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists.
Key Highlights:
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Hafiz Saeed's Hideout Traced:India Today has exposed the precise location of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed in Lahore, revealing he is not imprisoned as claimed by Pakistan, but living in relative comfort in a densely populated neighborhood, under 24x7 security provided by the Pakistani government.
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Living in Plain Sight:
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Saeed resides in a residential compound surrounded by:
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A large mosque and madrasa,
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A newly built private park reportedly for his personal use.
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Satellite images and video footage confirm his lifestyle is far from restricted.
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His personal security detail admitted their deployment was officially sanctioned.
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Contradictions in Pakistan's Claims:
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Pakistan insists Saeed is serving a sentence for terror financing, but the new evidence exposes that he remains free and under state protection.
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His home is being converted into a 'sub-jail', which Indian intelligence sources say is merely a façade.
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Ties to Pahalgam Attack:
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Saeed is believed to be the mastermind behind the Pahalgam massacre through his LeT offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility.
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The ISI reportedly blocked Saeed from appearing at a recent ceremony, after the killing of his aide Abu Qatal, indicating internal security concerns but continued support.
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Farooq Ahmad’s Role:
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Farooq Ahmad, a senior LeT commander now based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), is alleged by NIA sources to have coordinated the Pahalgam attack through a sleeper cell network in Kashmir.
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He has been linked to multiple terror operations over the past two years.
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Strategic Implications:
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This direct exposure of Hafiz Saeed's protection by Pakistan undermines its narrative of compliance with international counter-terrorism efforts.
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It also raises the stakes for India’s diplomatic campaign to hold Pakistan accountable on global platforms.
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Internally, the development may strengthen calls for pre-emptive or retaliatory action by Indian security agencies, especially as military tensions rise along the LoC and International Border.
