Lashkar co-founder shot in Lahore
Amir Hamza, a founding member of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was shot by unidentified gunmen in Lahore on Thursday.
According to reports, attackers opened fire on him outside a news channel office in the city. He was rushed to a hospital and is said to be in critical condition.
Second attack in less than a year
This is the second time Hamza has been targeted within a year.
He was previously shot at in May last year in Lahore, after which his security was reportedly tightened. Despite that, the latest attack raises fresh questions about internal security and possible motives.
Initial reports suggest that two gunmen on a motorcycle carried out the attack and fled the scene. No group has claimed responsibility so far.
Who is Amir Hamza
Hamza is considered one of the key ideologues behind Lashkar-e-Taiba.
- Born in Gujranwala, Pakistan
- Co-founded the group in the mid-1980s along with Hafiz Saeed
- Designated as a global terrorist by the United States
He has been linked to multiple terror activities, including the 2005 Indian Institute of Science (IISc) attack in Bengaluru — one of the early major strikes attributed to the group outside Kashmir.
Role of Lashkar-e-Taiba
Lashkar-e-Taiba is a UN-designated terrorist organisation that has been linked to several attacks in India over the years.
The group has been accused of carrying out or planning multiple high-profile operations targeting both civilians and security forces.
Investigation underway
Authorities in Pakistan have not issued an official statement on the attackers or the motive behind the shooting.
The incident comes amid a pattern of targeted attacks on senior figures linked to militant groups in recent months, adding to uncertainty around internal dynamics and security conditions.
