Senior figures from Hamas and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) recently held a high-profile meeting in Pakistan, a development analysts say points to a growing operational and ideological connection between the two militant organisations. The details were first reported by NDTV.
The meeting took place in Gujranwala, where senior Hamas commander Naji Zaheer was seen sharing a stage with LeT commander Rashid Ali Sandhu. The event was organised by the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), which is widely viewed as a political front linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Video clips circulating on social media appear to show Zaheer and Sandhu standing together on stage, with Zaheer attending as the chief guest. Observers say the visuals underline the increasingly open nature of contacts between Hamas-linked figures and Pakistan-based militant networks.
Officials and analysts note that this was not an isolated appearance. Zaheer has reportedly travelled to Pakistan several times in recent years, meeting Islamist and militant groups across different cities.
In February 2025, he is said to have visited Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, where he addressed an anti-India rally alongside commanders from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. His engagements in Pakistan reportedly date back to at least 2023, when he attended events in Karachi and Islamabad, including media interactions and receptions hosted by Islamist organisations.
Security experts say these repeated visits and public interactions suggest a deliberate effort to build links between Hamas and like-minded militant groups operating from Pakistan. They also point to the growing visibility of Hamas-affiliated figures within the country.
The meeting comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in South Asia, with ongoing concerns about cross-border militancy. Indian and international security agencies have long tracked links between Pakistan-based militant outfits and global jihadist movements, and the latest developments are expected to raise fresh alarms in New Delhi and other capitals.
Pakistan has consistently denied providing shelter or support to terrorist organisations. However, analysts say such public gatherings undermine those claims.
While Islamabad has not officially commented on the Gujranwala meeting, observers warn that closer ties between Hamas and Pakistan-linked groups could further complicate regional security, particularly if cooperation extends to shared planning, resources or coordinated actions.
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