India allegedly planned killings of six terror suspects in Pakistan since 2021: The Washington Post
New Delhi: India's external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has reportedly conducted a series of assassinations targeting six individuals in Pakistan since 2021, according to a report by The Washington Post.
The report claims that these operations involved hired shooters from Afghanistan and Pakistani petty criminals, rather than Indian nationals. It further alleges that the assassinations resembled operations targeting Khalistan separatists in the United States and Canada.
Citing unnamed officials, the report states that RAW employed Dubai-based businessmen as intermediaries to organise surveillance, plan killings, and facilitate payments through hawala networks.
One of the reported targets was Zahoor Mistry, accused of involvement in the 1999 hijacking of an Indian Airlines flight. Mistry was reportedly killed in Pakistan in 2022. Pakistani officials alleged that an Indian intelligence operative, identified as Tanaz Ansari, coordinated the operation by hiring locals and Afghan nationals for the killing.
Another reported target was Syed Khalid Raza, a militant leader active in Kashmir during the 1990s. Additionally, Shahid Latif, alleged mastermind of the 2016 Pathankot attack, was reportedly shot dead by unknown assailants in Sialkot, Pakistan, in October 2023.
The report claims that Muhammad Umair, a labourer arrested in connection with Latif’s killing, confessed to being sent from Dubai for the assassination after previous attempts had failed. He also reportedly disclosed the location of a safe house in Dubai, where Pakistani agents later found intelligence materials but no trace of the Indian operatives allegedly involved.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment on the allegations, maintaining its long-standing position of neither confirming nor denying involvement in specific killings. The Washington Post reported that Indian authorities have stated that assassinations are not part of official policy.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
'Strong evidence' available against Saif attacker, police tell court while opposing his bail plea
Mumbai, Jul 25 (PTI): Police have opposed the bail plea of the Bangladeshi national arrested for allegedly stabbing Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan with a knife and injuring him at his home here in January this year, telling a Mumbai court there was "strong evidence" against the accused.
Citing a Forensic Science Laboratory report, police reiterated before the sessions court their earlier claim knife fragments that got lodged near the actor's spine during the attack as well as a part found at the crime spot have matched with the weapon recovered from the accused, Shariful Islam.
These three pieces were part of the same weapon (knife) used to attack the filmstar, the police said in a written response to the accused's plea submitted in the court on Thursday (July 24).
Khan was repeatedly stabbed with a knife by an intruder inside his 12th floor apartment in upscale Bandra on January 16 during a robbery attempt.
The 54-year-old actor underwent surgery at Lilavati Hospital to remove a piece of knife that got lodged near his spine during the attack. He was discharged from the private hospital after five days.
Shariful Islam, a Bangladeshi national, was arrested two days later for allegedly stabbing Khan.
The police, in their response, highlighted that the accused is a Bangladeshi citizen residing illegally in India.
If granted bail, there was a possibility that he may flee India and not appear before the court during the trial. The crime committed by the accused is of a "very serious nature, and strong evidence" is available against him, they argued.
In his bail plea, filed through advocate Vipul Dushing, the accused asserted he was innocent and had no prior criminal record.
Investigation into the case has practically concluded with only the filing of a chargesheet pending, the accused contended while seeking bail.
The alleged attacker has been booked under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections related to house trespass, robbery and dacoity with attempt to cause death or grievous injury.
