In a massive development, India's Most Wanted who planned & coordinated the Pathankot Terror Attack in 2016, Shahid Latif was shot dead in Sialkot, Pakistan on Wednesday. Shahid Latif's killing was confirmed by the Pakistani authorities. As per Pakistani authorities, Shahid Latif was shot dead by unidentified gunmen who entered a mosque where the Pathankot terror attack was present.
As per Pakistani authorities, Shahid Latif was working as a Maulvi (religious teacher) in Noor Masjid in Daska tehsil of Sialkot. However, it is worth mentioning that the 41-year-old terrorist was a member of the proscribed terrorist organization Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and the key conspirator of the Pathankot attack launched on January 2, 2016.
Reports further suggest that Shahid Latif had coordinated the attack from Sialkot and sent down four JeM terrorists to Pathankot to execute it.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan has witnessed the killing of people who are wanted in India on terrorism charges. Also, Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the most wanted in India, was killed in Canad outside a Gurudwara by unidentified gunmen. Later, Canada PM Trudeau accused Indian agents of carrying out attacks which New Delhu totally refused.
Pakistan exposed again for sheltering terrorists
Shahid Latif was arrested in India in November 1994 on terror charges under the UAPA. Shahid Latif was put on trial and was eventually jailed. Notably, after serving his jail time in India, the JeM terrorist was deported to Pakistan via Wagah in 2010. Latif was also accused in the hijacking of an Indian Airlines plane in 1999.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe said Latif went back to the Jihadi factory in Pakistan after his release in 2010. He was listed as a wanted terrorist by the Indian government.