New Delhi: Shahid Latif, a prominent terrorist and the alleged mastermind behind the Pathankot attack in India, has reportedly been killed in Pakistan. According to reports, unknown gunmen shot him dead in Sialkot, Pakistan. Shahid Latif had been facing charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in India and was listed as a wanted terrorist by the Indian government. He was a key member of the banned terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). His criminal history dates back to his arrest in 1994, and he was deported to Pakistan via the Wagah border in 2010 after serving a 16-year prison sentence in India.
Shahid Latif’s name featured on the Indian government’s list of wanted terrorists, and he was the subject of an investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Notably, in 1999, during the hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC814 en route to Kandahar, Afghanistan, his release was sought by the hijackers. This exchange resulted in the release of prominent militant Masood Azhar and others to secure the freedom of 189 passengers and crew members held hostage during the hijacking.
The Mastermind’s Demise
Reports have emerged indicating that Shahid Latif, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack in India, was killed in Pakistan. Unknown gunmen are believed to have shot him dead in Sialkot. Shahid Latif had a long history of involvement in terrorism and was facing charges under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He had been a prominent member of the banned terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Shahid Latif was released in 2010 by Congress’s UPA govt in a goodwill gesture to Pakistan.
He went on to mastermind Pathankot army base attack in 2016 which killed 7 of our brave soldiers.
Today Shahid Latif has been gunned down by unknown gunmen in Pakistan.
Shahid Latif… pic.twitter.com/Y6D08bgYcM
— Ankit Jain (@indiantweeter) October 11, 2023
A Criminal History
Shahid Latif’s criminal history dates back to his arrest on November 12, 1994. He had been sentenced to 16 years in prison in India before being deported to Pakistan in 2010 through the Wagah border. His name was included on the Indian government’s list of wanted terrorists, and he was a subject of investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
Involvement in the IC814 Hijacking
Notably, Shahid Latif was among the individuals whose release was sought by the hijackers during the Indian Airlines flight IC814 hijacking in 1999. The armed hijackers had demanded the release of certain prisoners, including prominent militant Masood Azhar. This exchange was part of negotiations to secure the release of 189 passengers and crew members who were held hostage during the hijacking.
The reported death of Shahid Latif, the alleged mastermind of the Pathankot attack and a prominent terrorist figure, marks a significant development in the ongoing efforts to address terrorism in the region. His extensive criminal history and involvement in high-profile incidents have made him a notable figure in counterterrorism efforts. The circumstances surrounding his demise are expected to be subject to further investigation and scrutiny.
