List Of Terrorists Killed In Pakistan By Unknown Gunman

Over the past five years, a quiet yet deadly campaign has been unfolding across Pakistan. From bustling cities like Karachi to the disputed terrain of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), a consistent pattern has emerged—terrorists, especially those involved in attacks on Indian soil, are being gunned down by unknown assailants in targeted killings that resemble a covert war. The identity of the attackers remains officially unknown, but the consistency and precision of the strikes suggest a highly coordinated operation.

This article examines the growing list of such eliminations, their significance in the geopolitical context, and the recent spike in killings in 2023, 2024, and early 2025.

1. Shahid Latif – Mastermind of Pathankot Attack (Killed: October 2023)

A senior Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) commander, Shahid Latif was the alleged mastermind of the 2016 Pathankot Airbase attack. He was shot dead while offering prayers in a mosque in Daska, Punjab, on October 11, 2023. The audacity of the attack—inside a place of worship—sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s intelligence community.

2. Paramjit Singh Panjwar – Khalistani Terrorist (Killed: May 2023)

Panjwar, the chief of the banned Khalistan Commando Force (KCF), was shot in Lahore by two men on a motorbike. The incident occurred on May 6, 2023, as he took his routine morning walk. Panjwar had long been a thorn in India’s side for pushing Khalistani separatism with ISI backing.

3. Maulana Raheem Ullah Tariq – JeM’s Karachi Network Head (Killed: November 2023)

An influential JeM leader and close aide of Masood Azhar, Tariq was eliminated in Karachi in a drive-by shooting. He had been instrumental in maintaining JeM’s financial and logistical network in southern Pakistan.

4. Akram Khan Ghazi – Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander (Killed: November 2023)

Ghazi was a senior commander in LeT and a known handler of operatives infiltrating across the Line of Control. He was taken out in a sniper-style attack in Bajaur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on November 9, 2023.

5. Khwaja Shahid alias Mia Mujahid – Sunjuwan Attack Conspirator (Killed: November 2023)

Linked to the 2018 Sunjuwan Army camp attack, Mujahid was found beheaded in PoK on November 5, 2023. The brutal nature of the killing suggested an intention to send a clear message—not just to him, but to others still hiding under Pakistan’s protection.

6. Riyaz Ahmad alias Abu Qasim – LeT Commander (Killed: September 2023)

Qasim was assassinated inside a mosque in Rawalakot, PoK. He had played a central role in several infiltration attempts and grenade attacks in Kashmir. His killing mirrored that of Shahid Latif in both location and style.

7. Mufti Qaiser Farooq – LeT Financier (Killed: October 2023)

Farooq, a known financial handler for Hafiz Saeed and LeT’s charity-turned-terror fronts, was gunned down in Samanabad, Karachi. His involvement in money laundering and terror financing had long been tracked by global intelligence agencies.

8. Bashir Ahmad Peer alias Imtiyaz Alam – Hizbul Commander (Killed: February 2023)

Peer was killed outside his home in Rawalpindi in February 2023. A long-time operative for Hizbul Mujahideen, he was designated a terrorist by India in 2022. His elimination marked the first high-profile hit in 2023 and seemed to set off a chain reaction.

9. Syed Khalid Raza – Former Al-Badr Commander (Killed: February 2023)

A senior figure from the Al-Badr terror group, Raza was assassinated outside his home in Karachi. Raza had been actively involved in indoctrination and arms training operations. His killing showed that even retired or inactive terrorists were not immune.

10. Zahoor Mistry – IC-814 Hijacker (Killed: March 2022)

Mistry, involved in the infamous 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines flight IC-814, was killed in Karachi in a targeted operation. His death closed a two-decade-long manhunt and revived India’s focus on seeking justice for the hijacking victims.

11. Abu Qatal – LeT Commander and Aide to Hafiz Saeed (Killed: March 2025)

One of the most recent killings, Abu Qatal was shot dead in Jhelum on March 15, 2025. Initially rumored to be Hafiz Saeed’s nephew, later reports clarified he was a close aide and handler involved in orchestrating the 2023 Rajouri and 2024 Reasi attacks. His death is considered a major blow to LeT’s Kashmir-focused operations.

A Silent Trend with Loud Implications

Though Pakistan has officially denied any involvement or knowledge of these killings, the country’s inability to protect these operatives has raised questions. The precision and consistency of the hits suggest a well-organized external hand, with speculation frequently pointing to Indian intelligence agencies or rival factions seeking to disrupt ISI-linked terror networks.

The targeted nature of these assassinations also sends a powerful deterrent message to other terrorists sheltering within Pakistan’s borders. Traditional safe havens are no longer safe. Terrorists once believed to be untouchable are being taken out with military precision, often in public settings.

What’s Driving the Killings?

Multiple theories abound:

  • Covert Intelligence Operations: Many believe Indian agencies are finally enacting long-overdue justice through deniable operations. While India has neither confirmed nor denied these actions, recent statements from officials hint at a more aggressive foreign counter-terror posture.
  • Internal Power Struggles: Some analysts speculate these are the result of turf wars between different Pakistani intelligence factions or competing jihadi outfits.
  • Geo-Political Calculations: Pakistan has been under international pressure to rein in terrorism. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey-listing pushed Islamabad to show action. Silently eliminating problematic assets may serve as a convenient way to clean house.

Conclusion: Is the Safe Haven Crumbling?

For decades, Pakistan served as a sanctuary for globally designated terrorists—providing them with shelter, resources, and impunity. That equation is now under stress. Whether it’s through internal purges, strategic silencing, or precision strikes by external forces, the net is closing in on terrorists who thought they were safe.

The message is clear: impunity no longer guarantees immunity. The long arm of justice may not always come through courtrooms—it sometimes comes quietly, through the scope of a rifle or the roar of a silenced pistol.

Comments are closed.