New Delhi: In a first, high-ranked Hamas representatives attended a meeting with senior commanders from Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), further highlighting Pakistan’s strong links with global terrorist networks.
The occasion was Kashmir Solidarity Day, which Pakistan observes on February 5 every year as a propaganda tool to advance its anti-India narrative.
Several videos and images of the meeting have gone viral on social media.
Geopolitical analysts and media outlets noted that Dr Khaled Qaddoumi, a Hamas representative who previously worked in Tehran and visited the Pakistan parliament earlier this year, was present at the meeting.
According to India Today, the conference titled ‘Kashmir Solidarity and Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood Conference’ was held at Shaheed Sabir Stadium in Rawalakote. Talha Saif, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar, JeM commanders Asghar Khan Kashmiri, Masood Ilyas and senior LeT leaders were also present.
Qaddoumi’s visit was the first by a Hamas leader to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He reportedly held a one-on-one meeting with Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam.
Several other Palestinian figures linked to Hamas were also in attendance.
JeM and LeT have been responsible for multiple attacks on Indian soil, including the 2001 Parliament attack, the 28/11 Mumbai attacks and 2019 Pulwama bombing. Their participation in an event in PoK underscores Pakistan’s continued role in sheltering and promoting terrorism under the guise of ‘Kashmir solidarity.’
Hamas, a Palestinian terrorist organisation that was engaged in a bloody conflict with Israel since October 2023, has traditionally operated within the Middle East. Now, its involvement in a Pakistan-backed conference suggests a possible plan to expand its network and growing ties with Pakistan-based terror groups.
