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.
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Parliament passes Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025
New Delhi (PTI): Parliament early Friday passed the contentious Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025, after it was approved by the Rajya Sabha.
The Lok Sabha had on Thursday approved the Bill after over a 12-hour debate.
In Rajya Sabha, the Bill got 128 votes in its favour and 95 against after all the amendments moved by the opposition were rejected.
In the lower house, the bill was supported by 288 MPs while 232 voted against it.
Participating in a debate in the Rajya Sabha, Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the Bill was brought with a number of amendments based on suggestions given by various stakeholders.
"The Waqf Board is a statutory body. All government bodies should be secular," the minister said, explaining the inclusion of non-Muslims on the board.
He, however, said the number of non-Muslims has been restricted to only four out of 22.
Rijiju also alleged that the Congress and other opposition parties, and not the BJP, were trying to scare Muslims with the Waqf Bill.
"You (opposition) are pushing Muslims out of the mainstream," he added.
He said for 60 years, the Congress and others ruled the country, but did not do much for Muslims and the community continues to live in poverty.
"Muslims are poor, who is responsible? You (Congress) are. Modi is now leading the government to uplift them," the minister said.
According to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, Waqf tribunals will be strengthened, a structured selection process will be maintained, and a tenure will be fixed to ensure efficient dispute resolution.
As per the Bill, while Waqf institutions' mandatory contribution to Waqf boards is reduced from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, Waqf institutions earning over Rs 1 lakh will undergo audits by state-sponsored auditors.
A centralised portal will automate Waqf property management, improving efficiency and transparency.
The Bill proposes that practising Muslims (for at least five years) can dedicate their property to the Waqf, restoring pre-2013 rules.
It stipulates that women must receive their inheritance before the Waqf declaration, with special provisions for widows, divorced women and orphans.
The Bill proposes that an officer above the rank of collector investigate government properties claimed as Waqf.
It also proposes that non-Muslim members be included in the central and state Waqf boards for inclusivity.
