A funeral in absentia (Janaza-Ghaib) was recently held in Khai Gala, a village in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), for Tahir Habib. He was a former Pakistan Army soldier who later became a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist. Indian forces killed him during Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir.

According to The Times of India, Tahir was one of the main operatives involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. His funeral in PoK has added to the growing evidence of Pakistan’s role in the deadly assault.

Locals Mourn, While LeT Commander Sparks Tension

Visuals circulated on Telegram show elderly villagers of Khai Gala offering prayers for Tahir. He had long been involved in cross-border terrorism and was listed as a Category ‘A’ terrorist by Indian security agencies.

However, the gathering turned tense when local LeT commander Rizwan Hanif tried to attend the funeral. Tahir’s family openly objected to his presence. This led to a heated argument and exposed deep cracks within militant networks.

Armed Threats at Funeral Outrage Residents

A local source revealed that some Lashkar operatives even threatened villagers at gunpoint during the funeral. This triggered anger among residents of Khai Gala, who have long been uncomfortable with the increasing radicalisation in their region.

“People here have long been uneasy about radicalisation. After this incident, Khai Gala residents are planning a public boycott against terror recruitment,” the source said.

Major Blow to Militancy and Pakistan’s Terror Network

Tahir’s death, along with two other LeT terrorists in Srinagar last week, marks a major success for Indian forces. Their elimination comes as part of Operation Mahadev, which is linked to Operation Sindoor—India’s large-scale counterstrike launched after the Pahalgam attack.

Indian intelligence agencies believe the April 22 massacre was executed by Pakistan-backed and trained militants, who opened fire on unarmed tourists in Pahalgam—a popular travel spot in South Kashmir. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the Valley in recent years, killing 26 civilians.

Signs of Resistance Growing Within PoK

The tense events in Khai Gala and public backlash following the funeral reflect a larger change within PoK. Villagers appear to be losing patience with Pakistan’s use of their region for terror recruitment and staging attacks across the border.

The incident also highlights Islamabad’s long-standing policy of using groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed as instruments of state policy to target civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.

The Bigger Picture

While Pakistan denies involvement in such attacks, the funeral of a former Pakistani soldier-turned-militant, the presence of Lashkar operatives, and threats against locals paint a different picture. The growing unrest in PoK signals that public sentiment may be turning against terrorism—even in areas once seen as militant strongholds.