Latif, a close aide of Maulana Masood Azhar and a key member of Jaish-e-Mohammed, was released by UPA government in 2010 as a part of India’s attempts to improve ties with Pakistan
In this article, Sagarika Mitra, Content Head of JAN KI BAAT, dissects Shahid Latif’s terror files
In a significant development, Shahid Latif, a dangerous Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist and one of the masterminds behind the 2016 Pathankot terror attack, has been eliminated in Sialkot, Pakistan.
As per Pakistani media reports, he was reportedly shot at point blank range by shooters who were aware of his whereabouts. This suggests that local terrorists in Pakistan were involved in the killing, sources said.
Terrorist Shahid Latif’s story is a chilling reminder of a misguided ‘goodwill gesture’ of the UPA government in 2010 that backfired on India in 2016.
Shahid Latif was released by the Indian government in 2010 as part of the Manmohan Singh government’s attempt to improve relations with Pakistan. He was among 25 terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and JeM, who were released, aiming to build bridges with the enemy.
However, what was intended as a trust building measure, had dire consequences for India’s national security, as Latif became a linchpin of JeM operations in India. He was actively involved in recruiting and launching Jaish operatives in India to execute terror attacks.
Sources privy to his case tell JAN KI BAAT that back in 1999, Latif’s release was also a demand by Jaish terrorists who had hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814. That act of terror had led to the release of JeM chief, Maulana Masood Azhar. However, the Vajpayee government had refused to release Latif and 31 others who were on Jaish-e-Mohammed’s ‘wish list’.
As per an old report in the ToI, Latif, was lodged in an Indian jail for 11 years for acts of terrorism. He was arrested in India in November 1994 on terror charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and was put to trial and eventually imprisoned. After serving his sentence in India, he was deported to Pakistan via Wagah in 2010.
In 2016, 6 years after the UPA government released him – Pathankot witnessed a harrowing terror attack. Four heavily armed JeM terrorists stormed the airbase & left a trail of destruction, early in the morning on January 2nd, 2016.
Lt. Col. Niranjan of National Security Guard, Subedar Fateh Singh of Defence Security Corps, Corporal Gursewak Singh of Garud Commando Force, Hawaldar Kulwant Singh of Defence Security Corps, Hawaldar Sanjeevan Singh Rana of Defence Security Corps, Subedar Jagdish Chand and Lance Naik Phoolwant Singh of the Defense Security Corps – laid down their lives fighting JeM terrorists sent by Shahid Latif. The gun battle, lasted for four days and finally resulted in the killing of the four JeM fidayeens.
Shahid Latif’s fingerprints were all over the pre-planned terror strike in Pathankot. Sources say he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the attack by providing weapons, clothing, medical supplies, and logistical support to the Jaish terrorists.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) investigation into the Pathankot terror attack said that Shahid Latif went back to the terrorist factory in Pakistan immediately after his release in 2010.
Shahid Latif’s elimination in Pakistan is a significant victory in the global fight against terrorism. While the details of what led to Latif’s killing in Sialkot remain shrouded in secrecy, his elimination sends a clear message that terrorists cannot escape accountability for their actions.
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