Desk:In a shocking revelation, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi, the mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai attacks and operations commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was spotted working out in a gym in Pakistan. A video of him exercising and attending a dance class has gone viral on social media. This has once again exposed Pakistan’s lack of commitment to taking action against terrorism.
The video’s exact location and date remain unclear, but media reports suggest that Lakhvi has changed his appearance. Previously seen with a long beard in Islamabad court footage, the viral video shows him clean-shaven, raising questions about his current activities.
Lakhvi’s Sentencing in 2021
In 2021, a Pakistani court sentenced Lakhvi to five years in prison for funding terrorism. Both India and the U.S. have accused him of orchestrating the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed at least 160 people. However, Pakistan initially denied Lakhvi’s involvement in the attacks. It was only after international pressure and inclusion in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list that Pakistan took minimal action, reportedly detaining him. Despite this, Lakhvi has been seen roaming freely in Pakistan multiple times.
India’s Demand for Lakhvi’s Extradition
India has repeatedly demanded Lakhvi’s extradition, but Pakistan has refused, asserting that trials for such individuals will be conducted within its own jurisdiction. U.S. media reports claim that both Lakhvi and Ajmal Kasab, the sole surviving attacker from the Mumbai siege, hail from the same region in Pakistan.
Evidence Ignored by Pakistan
According to The Dawn, Pakistani authorities have refused to acknowledge evidence provided by U.S. and British intelligence agencies, including phone call records where Lakhvi allegedly directed attackers hiding in Mumbai’s Taj Hotel. Pakistan has also dismissed Kasab’s statements, claiming they were coerced by Indian authorities and thus inadmissible in court. These discrepancies have caused rifts between the U.S. and Pakistan regarding counter-terrorism efforts.
International Outcry
Indian and U.S. officials maintain that Islamabad must take decisive action against those involved in the attacks. In 2009, Indian authorities accused Lakhvi and another LeT operator, Yusuf Muzammil, of plotting the 26/11 attacks. However, Pakistan’s reluctance to hold Lakhvi accountable continues to draw criticism from the international community, raising concerns about its seriousness in combating terrorism.
This revelation underscores the need for coordinated global efforts to tackle terrorism and hold its perpetrators accountable.