A funeral held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has confirmed Pakistan’s role in the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir on April 22, where 26 civilians were killed.
The funeral, known as a Janaza-Ghaib (funeral in absentia), was held for Tahir Habib, one of the terrorists killed by Indian forces during Operation Mahadev in Srinagar. Tahir was from Khai Gala village in Rawalkote, PoK, and had a background as a former Pakistan Army soldier and a member of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
Read more: Mastermind Behind ‘Pahalgam Attack’ Killed Through Operation Mahadev
Photos and videos shared on Telegram showed villagers attending his funeral. However, the ceremony became tense when a local LeT commander, Rizwan Hanif, tried to attend but was stopped by Tahir’s family. They didn’t want any LeT members present. Hanif insisted, leading to a heated argument.
Tahir was a wanted terrorist and listed in the top ‘Category A’ by Indian intelligence. His death was a big win for Indian security forces.
According to sources, the situation worsened when some LeT men pulled out a gun and threatened people at the funeral. This angered the villagers, who have long been unhappy with extremist groups. People in Khai Gala are now planning to openly protest against terror groups and stop local youth from joining them.
This incident is important because it shows that even people in PoK are standing up against terrorism and Pakistan’s support for such groups. It also shows that India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the Pahalgam attack, is having an effect across the border.
Tahir had earlier been part of student groups like Islami Jamiat Talaba and the Student Liberation Front before joining the Pakistan Army. He belonged to the Sadozai Pathan community, known for resisting oppression. He was also called ‘Afghani’ in intelligence records due to his community’s Afghan roots and past involvement in historical uprisings.
