INVC NEWS
Sialkot : Shahid Latif, a central figure in Jaish-e-Mohammed, has been eliminated. Explore how this development could serve as a turning point in India-Pakistan relations and global counter-terrorism efforts.
In an unexpected turn of events that is sure to pique the interest of those following geopolitical dynamics, Shahid Latif, an instrumental figure in the banned extremist group Jaish-e-Mohammed , met his end in Pakistan in enigmatic circumstances. Joining him in this abrupt conclusion was another unidentified individual affiliated with the same organization. For some context, the Indian government had spotlighted Latif on its most-wanted list, highlighting his significant role in activities aimed at destabilizing India.
Now, you might be wondering who Shahid Latif is and why his death matters. Well, let’s take a stroll down the annals of history. Latif was initially arrested back in 1994, which led to a lengthy legal process that ended with him serving 16 years behind bars. After fulfilling his term, he was repatriated to Pakistan via the Wagah border crossing in 2010. Hailing from Gujranwala, a city in Pakistan’s Punjab province, Latif soon climbed the hierarchical ladder within the JEM organization.
His infamous reputation came to a head when he masterminded a group of four militants in their infiltration of India’s Pathankot Air Force station in 2016. The attack led to the unfortunate loss of seven Indian servicemen. But that’s not all—Latif was also implicated in the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. During that incident, the hijackers demanded his release, a condition flatly turned down by India’s government at the time, led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
In a social media commentary, Dr. Hitesh Bajpai, spokesperson for India’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh, delved into the event. He pointed out that Latif had been released in 2010 by the then Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government as a kind of diplomatic overture towards Pakistan. This act, he implies, had far-reaching consequences, culminating in the tragic Pathankot attack.
So, what’s the takeaway here? Interestingly, Pakistan, which had once served as a safe haven for Latif, turned out to be the stage for his final act. It’s a poignant reminder that terrorism knows no borders and serves as a wake-up call for an international, cooperative approach to tackling the root causes of extremist ideologies. The event underscores the unpredictability and complexities woven into the global fabric of terrorism and counter-terrorism efforts.
