Shahid Latif, a commander within the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist organization and a key figure linked to the 2016 Pathankot Indian Air Force (IAF) base attack, was reportedly shot and killed by unidentified assailants in Sialkot, Pakistan. Indian intelligence officials have confirmed the death of Latif.
Designated as an “individual terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), Shahid Latif, aged 41, was killed inside a mosque. He had a long-standing role as the commander of JeM in Sialkot and was involved in planning and coordinating several terrorist activities within India. Notably, he was in communication with the fidayeen attackers involved in the January 2016 attack on the IAF base, which led to the death of seven security personnel.
Together with another JeM operative known as Kashif Jan, also referred to as “Ustad Ji,” Latif maintained contact with the attackers who infiltrated the IAF base during the 2016 attack. The attackers left behind messages in Pathankot, proclaiming their allegiance to JeM and their intent to continue their actions.
Despite being the subject of an Interpol red notice, Shahid Latif had been operating freely within Pakistan, and he continued to be involved in the planning and execution of attacks within India. His death marks a significant development in counterterrorism efforts in the region.
The Pathankot attack chargesheet filed by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously named Shahid Latif, along with Maulana Masood Azhar, Kashif Jan, and others, in connection with the 2016 attack. The NIA had provided substantial evidence to Pakistan, including phone records, addresses of the terrorists, family information, financial details of JeM’s financial arm, and communications between the handlers and the attackers.
Despite India’s cooperation in allowing a Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to visit Pathankot for evidence collection, Islamabad did not reciprocate by sharing evidence with Indian investigators, which was a violation of the agreed terms.
The United States had also shared evidence related to the Pathankot attack, including extensive chat logs between Kashif Jan and the attackers, which further implicated JeM’s involvement. This incident sheds light on the ongoing challenges of counterterrorism efforts and international cooperation in combating such threats.
