Pakistan has sharply increased security for Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed, allegedly the mastermind of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, following mounting diplomatic tensions with India. According to a report by India Today, Saeed’s security cover has been increased fourfold, with the Pakistan Army, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), and Lashkar operatives jointly overseeing his protection.
Saeed’s residence in Lahore’s Johar Town — a densely populated locality — has come under a heightened security net since the 22 April strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
The report stated that armed personnel have been deployed round the clock around the premises, and advanced surveillance measures, including drone monitoring and high-resolution closed-circuit television cameras, have been installed along roads in a four-kilometre radius. Civilian movement has been heavily restricted in the area, and drone activity has been expressly prohibited.
Sources informed the agency that the heightened protocol was implemented immediately after the Pahalgam attack, which was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba offshoot. While TRF has taken public responsibility, Indian intelligence agencies believe Saeed played a significant role in orchestrating the deadly strike.
Despite being designated a global terrorist by the United Nations and the United States — and facing a $10 million bounty — Saeed continues to reside openly in Pakistan. His location is not clandestine; rather, he remains ensconced in a fortified compound at the heart of Lahore, surrounded by residential buildings.
India Today have also accessed satellite imagery and exclusive video footage of Saeed’s residence. The compound reportedly houses three structures: Saeed’s fortified dwelling, a sprawling mosque and madrasa believed to serve as his operational base, and a newly constructed private park.
The footage, depicts Saeed living in relative comfort, guarded by uniformed Pakistani security personnel. This visual evidence directly contradicts Islamabad’s assertions that he is currently imprisoned on terror-financing charges.
Moreover, Pakistani intelligence has reportedly reviewed Saeed’s security following these developments. The compound is now in the process of being designated a ‘sub-jail’, a move that allows Saeed to function with minimal restriction while maintaining the technical appearance of legal custody.
Security around the Lashkar chief had previously been bolstered in 2021 following a car bomb attack near his residence that left three dead. Last month, authorities again reviewed his protection after the killing of a close aide, Abu Qatal.
The developments come amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. New Delhi has responded strongly to the Pahalgam incident, calling out Islamabad’s alleged harbouring of terrorists operating across the Line of Control.
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