LeT co-founder Amir Hamza shot by unidentified gunmen in Lahore

Amir Hamza, a founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was shot by unidentified assailants outside a news channel office in Pakistan's Lahore, according to a report by India Today. He suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital. According to doctors, his condition remains extremely critical.

A Lahore Police official said police responded to the incident of firing by unidentified individuals at the vehicle of the Chairman of Tehreek-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool Pakistan at Hamdard Chowk. The official said that all individuals in the vehicle remained safe. A high alert has been issued in the area, and search operations are underway to identify and arrest the perpetrators.

Hamza, who co-founded Lashkar-e-Taiba along with Hafiz Saeed, has long been associated with multiple terrorist activities, including attacks in India.

A veteran of the Afghan Mujahideen, Hamza is known for his fiery speeches and writings. He previously served as the founding editor of Lashkar’s magazine “Majallah al-Daawa” and authored the book Qafila Da'wat aur Shahadat in 2002, promoting extremist ideology.

The United States Treasury Department has designated Lashkar-e-Taiba as a terrorist organisation and lists Hamza as a sanctioned terrorist. He is believed to have been part of the group’s central committee, playing a key role in fundraising, recruitment, and negotiations for the release of detained militants.

In 2018, after Pakistani authorities launched financial crackdowns on LeT-linked organisations such as Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Hamza reportedly distanced himself from the outfit. He later founded a splinter group, Jaish-e-Manqafa, which is alleged to have continued militant operations, including in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per the report, the group continues to operate within Pakistan, and Hamza is believed to remain in close contact with Lashkar leadership.