Lahore, Apr 16: In a significant development, some unknown gunmen today shot at Amir Hamza, co-founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror outfit who has been involved in several terrorist acts in India.
He was shot when he was travelling in a car, sources said.
The 66-year-old commander of LeT was returning home after a programme at a News Channel when 2 gunmen on a motorcycle came from behind and opened fire near Lahore Stock area, sources said.
According to preliminary details, he has received bullet injury in his arm and has been hospitalized.
Details about his condition are not clear yet and are likely to be suppressed by the Pakistani military, especially its notorious intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), since he is their proxy.
Hamza, one of the most wanted terrorists in India, is the second most important person in the hierarcy of Lashkar-e-Taiba after its chief Hafiz Saeed.
Hamza has been involved in several terror attacks in India.
This is second time in less than a year when Hamza has been shot by unknown men.
Last year in May, the dreaded terrorist was shot outside his residence in Lahore, following which he was rushed to a hospital. After the attack, his security was heightened by the Pakistan authorities, though they did not comment on the incident.
Who is Asim Hamza?
Hamza is a veteran of the Afghan war during the Soviet occupation.
He is a key figure in the Lashkar-e-Taiba and has held many key positions in the terror group.
He has worked closely with Saeed over the years, working on the terror group’s outreach programmes and propaganda campaigns.
Hamza is known for his fiery speeches and has reportedly authored multiple books, including the Qafila Da’wat aur Shahadat (Caravan of Proselytizing and Martydom) in 2002. He is also the editor of the official publication of the Lashkar.
Hamza has been listed as a sanctioned terrorist by the Treasury Department of the United States (US) for his role in raising funds for the Lashkar, which is a banned terrorist organisation.
Following a ban on the Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Hamza had formed the Jaish-e-Manqafa in 2018 to raise funds.
He has also founded the Jaish-e-Manqafa, which operates with Lashkar and is also involved in conducting terror attacks in India, including the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.
