Mumbai, March 21: Bilal Arif Salafi, a senior commander of the militant organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was killed on Saturday, March 21, in a targeted attack at Markaz Taiba in Muridke, Pakistan's Punjab province. According to local reports and emerging video footage, Salafi was both shot and stabbed by unidentified assailants shortly after completing Eid-ul-Fitr prayers. The incident occurred in a high-security zone near the group's historical headquarters, marking a significant breach in the protection of the organisationโ€™s leadership.

Details of the Targeted Attack Againstย Bilal Arif Salafi

The assassination took place as Salafi was exiting a local mosque following the conclusion of religious services. Witnesses report that a group of unidentified gunmen intercepted the commander, opening fire at close range before reportedly using sharp-edged weapons to ensure the fatality.ย Delhi Terror Alert: Intel Alert Warns of Threat to Key Religious Places, Red Fort Area on Target List of Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Unknown Gunmen Shoot Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Bilal Arif Salafi (Disturbing Video)

Lashkar-e-Taiba Commander Bilal Arif Salafi Shot and Stabbed To Death in Muridke

Visuals circulating on social media following the incident showed the commander lying in a pool of blood as bystanders and security personnel gathered at the scene. While local police have cordoned off the area and initiated a forensic investigation, the attackers managed to flee the site before they could be apprehended. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the killing.

Strategic Significance of the Location

The choice of Muridke as the site for the assassination is particularly notable. The town has long served as the primary administrative and educational hub for Lashkar-e-Taiba and its charitable wing, Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). Security in this region is typically stringent due to the presence of high-ranking militant figures and sensitive infrastructure. The ability of "unknown gunmen" to carry out a daylight assassination during a major public festival suggests a sophisticated level of planning and intelligence.

Pattern of 'Unknown Gunmen' Incidents

Salafi's death is the latest in a series of unexplained killings targeting individuals associated with anti-India militant groups residing in Pakistan. Over the past two years, more than a dozen high-profile figures from LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and the Hizbul Mujahideen have been eliminated in a similar fashion across various Pakistani cities. While Pakistani officials have frequently attributed these operations to "foreign hands" and external intelligence agencies, Indian authorities have consistently maintained that these figures are victims of internal rivalries or local security lapses. Salafi was known to be a key recruiter and operational strategist for the LeT, which has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and the United States.ย Pahalgam Terror Attack: LeT Overground Worker Who Allegedly Helped Terrorists Dies in Escape Bid After Jumping Into River in Jammu and Kashmirโ€™s Kulgam, Video Surfaces.

Current Investigation and Aftermath

Pakistani security agencies are reportedly conducting raids across the Muridke district to identify the suspects. The killing has prompted a high-alert status among the remaining leadership of the LeT and JuD, as the pattern of targeted assassinations shows no sign of abating. The incident has also raised fresh questions regarding the safety of internationally wanted militants currently residing on Pakistani soil, many of whom have been forced into hiding or increased personal security following similar attacks in Lahore and Karachi earlier this year.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2026 10:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).