Last Updated:January 11, 2026, 20:52 IST
Saifullah Kasuri’s message framed the Pakistan–Bangladesh engagement as a “positive realignment for the Muslim world,” reflecting LeT’s ideological narrative against India.
Saifullah Kasuri, a senior LeT operative designated by the United Nations and a key operational handler behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack. (News18)
Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has welcomed the growing diplomatic and military ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with its deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri issuing statements congratulating what he described as renewed closeness between Islamabad and Dhaka, top intelligence sources told CNN-News18.
Kasuri, a senior LeT operative designated by the United Nations and Pahalgam terror attack mastermind, congratulated the growing relations between Islamabad and Dhaka and said that the official commencement of trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh is commendable and highly appreciable.
As per sources, such endorsement by Kasuri is strategically significant. His messaging framed the Pakistan–Bangladesh engagement as a “positive realignment for the Muslim world,” reflecting LeT’s long-standing ideological narrative against India, sources said.
Sources indicated that Kasuri’s remarks suggested Pakistan-based terror groups are viewing such emerging regional diplomatic openings as operational opportunities, particularly for expanding jihadist influence beyond Kashmir into broader South Asian alignments.
LeT is assessed to possess deep logistical, recruitment and ideological networks across the region, while Bangladesh has previously featured in terror-financing and transit investigations linked to Pakistan-based extremist groups, adding to the current concern, sources said.
Sources further said that such a reaction from Lashkar-e-Taiba underlined how non-state jihadist actors continue to closely track regional political developments and seek to influence — and in some cases dictate — terms to governments and military establishments in Pakistan.
Recently, the Let deputy chief openly admitted the terror group’s association with the Pakistan Army, and exposed the nexus between the Pakistani military and the terror groups that India has long flagged.
Speaking at an event at a school in Pakistan, Kasuri openly boasted about the Army inviting him to the funerals of its soldiers and claimed that India was fearful of his presence. “Pakistan’s Army invites me to lead funeral prayers. Do you know India is also scared of me?” he was seen saying in a viral video.
Counter-terror agencies believed that Kasuri’s statement signalled an attempt to broaden the scope of terror activities from Kashmir to like-minded regional networks, making the evolving engagement a matter of heightened concern for Indian and international security agencies.
Location :
Islamabad, Pakistan
First Published:
January 11, 2026, 20:52 IST
News world LeT Welcomes Growing Pakistan-Bangladesh Military Ties; Intelligence Agencies Take NoteDisclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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