India Is Afraid of Me : Pahalgam Terror Kingpin Boasts of Invitations from Pakistan Army

A senior leader of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has publicly acknowledged the Pakistan Army’s open association with the group, claiming that he is frequently invited by the military to attend official events and even to lead funeral prayers for fallen soldiers.

The remarks were made by Saifullah Kasuri, the deputy chief of the Hafiz Saeed-led terror organisation and the alleged mastermind of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. Kasuri was addressing students during an event organised at a school in Pakistan when he made the statements, which have since surfaced in video form.

In the video, Kasuri is heard boasting about his proximity to the Pakistani military establishment. “The Pakistan Army invites me by sending an invitation. The Pakistan Army invites me to lead funeral prayers for its soldiers,” he told the gathering, drawing applause from those present.

Kasuri’s comments directly contradict repeated assurances by the Pakistani government to the international community that it is actively working to dismantle terror networks operating from its soil. His public admission exposes the depth of coordination between Pakistan’s military and proscribed terrorist organisations, reinforcing long-standing concerns raised by India and other nations.

During the same address, the LeT leader issued aggressive remarks against India, claiming that his very presence instills fear in New Delhi. “Do you know India is scared of me?” Kasuri asked rhetorically, projecting confidence and defiance despite international scrutiny.

Kasuri also referred to India’s recent counter-terror operations, stating that New Delhi had “made a mistake” by targeting terror camps. While acknowledging that India’s Operation Sindoor had damaged terrorist infrastructure inside Pakistan, he reiterated that Lashkar-e-Taiba would continue its focus on Kashmir and would “never back down from the Kashmir mission.”

In another undated video that has circulated widely, Kasuri was heard saying, “India made a big mistake in Operation Sindoor by targeting only terrorist hideouts,” attempting to downplay the impact of the strikes while issuing veiled threats.

Earlier, while addressing a rally in Kasur district of Pakistan’s punjab province, Kasuri openly embraced his notoriety. “I was blamed as the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack. Now my name is famous in the entire world,” he said, repeating his claim of being targeted for the attack that shocked India.

The April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam left 26 civilians dead, prompting a strong military response from India. On May 7, New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor, targeting terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in a calibrated strike aimed at dismantling militant networks.

Following four days of intense cross-border drone and missile exchanges, India and Pakistan reached an agreement on May 10 to halt hostilities. Despite the ceasefire, Kasuri’s statements have renewed concerns over Pakistan’s continued patronage of terror groups and its implications for regional security.