File photo of Hafiz Saeed. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
The body of Khalid Bashir, chief security officer for Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD)’s Hafiz Saeed, was found near Sheikhapura canal on Mureed Kay road in Lahore.
The JuD is the charity wing of Lashkar-e-Taiba militant group which India has accused of masterminding the 2008 terrorist attacks in the Indian commercial hub of Mumbai.
According to sources, Bashir received a phone call from an unknown person while having dinner at his residence. Later at night, he went missing and his body, showing signs of torture, was found in the morning.
Bashir, apart from being the head of all the security matters of the organization, was responsible for coordinating all of Hafiz Saeed’s movements. The 42-year-old Bashir had joined JuD as a worker about 25 years ago and had risen in the organisation, ultimately becoming the security head.
Hafiz Saeed told The Express Tribune that Bashir was an old loyalist who had thwarted many attempts on his life. Saeed alleged that Bashior’s role in the JuD had irked certain powers, who wanted him dead.
Security for major JuD leaders was tightened as a result of the killing.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 19th, 2013.
COMMENTS (29)
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Gp65@ Every citizen of the country has the basic right of protection from the state irrespective of his religious beliefs and political ideas. yours conspiracy theory approach is ridicolous. If the state deemed it necessary that one of his citizen Hafiz Saeed's life is in danger then what do you think the state should do as per the requirement of it's constitution? please answer my question keeping aside your malice.
@kaalchakra: "Frankly, this is a direct attack on Pakistan. This is not the occasion for political correctness." So an attack on the so called body guard of a man declared as a wanted terrorist by the United Nations is now an attack on Pakistan. Has Pakistan been reduced to this? What a pity?
Pakistan will be much better place if Hafeez Saeed and his likes are neutralized.
Well well well, looks like someone was getting greedy( wink wink 10million $)
Water Bottle, Sir Hafeez Saeed is the leading philonothropist and social worker. He has spent his life doing yeoman's service for such causes as disaster relief, education for the masses, and national poverty alleviation without nary a thought for himself. Because he has also had the courage to stand up for Pakistan and Muslims, he has been targeted by inimical forces. We all know who these forces are who have been trying to target him as a 'terrorist'. Young Pakistanis will not stand for such travesty.
This is Pakistan, even the terrorists are not safe these days.
@kaalchakra:
"Frankly, this is a direct attack on Pakistan. This is not the occasion for political correctness"
Who attacking sir?
@John cena:
"Raw doing overtime work nowadays" And they are becoming more efficient too.......
In Bollywood movie "Ek Tha Tiger" two spy agencies are seen working together too.....
Any connection with recent NS - Kayani meeting.......
The question remains. Just remembered a dialogue from famous Bollywood movie "Sholey"
Gabbar Singh: Ab tera kya hoga Kaalia? Kaalia: Maine aap ka namak kaya sardar. Gabbar Singh: Ab....... goli kha.
Speculations can be numerous but days are numbered.
Spokesman of Jamat ud Dawah Pakistan, Yahya Mujahid has strictly rejected reports of certain publications which claim martyred central leader Khalid Bashir as the chief security officer of Ameer Jamat ud Dawah, Prof.Hafiz Saeed. In his statement he said that the slain leader Khalid Bashir, who was abducted and later martyred looked after various district and zone responsibilities earlier, and recently he was holding the office of public relations of Jamat in Punjab province. He has never been the security or protocol officer of Prof.Hafiz Saeed.
Kindly Check @Jud_Official on Twitter for details.
Frankly, this is a direct attack on Pakistan. This is not the occasion for political correctness.
@doom:
"I believe the article is referring to JuD’s own private, security wing. There is no mention of any state-provided protection. "
While it is not very clear from the article, the way it is phrased, I would like to believe that it refers to the security provided by the government.
Security Chief???? Hafiz sahib enjoys state security so what is the issue???
@Zaida P: You say: "You have to wonder who is next."
US courts want Hafiz Saeed. US cannot be offended and handing him over to US will have domestic repercussions. So, some way has to be found to protect strategic interests without affecting sentiments. When the burden becomes heavy, gunny bag comes handy. Who else can bag the harvest more efficiently than those who cultivated it?
PS: Just saw the Bollywood movie "Aurangzeb" yesterday before reading this news.
Good riddance to bad rubbish
If Hafiz Saeed is involved only in charitable work, he would not be keeping a private security force to protect him. Mr. Edhi does not move around with a security force. In fact at one time, when he was facing threats and the government provided him security he asked the government to remove the security force. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, the hindu spiritual leader visited Lahore and did not have any security force guarding him though he was visiting the most hostile country for hindus. Real good persons who work for the good of others do not have a security force to guard them. Their good deeds protect them.
The so called assets are still being supported in Pakistan irrespective of the adverse publicity the country gets the world over. The new govt at Islamabad needs to do some serious introspection if Pakistan wants to get rid of the tag of 'epicenter of terrorism' which is tarnishing its image for several decades.
@Maria: The babylonian-afghan-arabian-mughal tradition of killing and intrigue is alive and prospering in the Fortress of Islam. Well done.
You have to wonder who is next.
How about if Saeed himself is behind this?
@Saeed MA, Water Bottle and gp65: I believe the article is referring to JuD's own private, security wing. There is no mention of any state-provided protection.
It's a common practice all over the world for the government to provide extra protection to those who are under some kind of threat. Provision of extra protection does not turn anyone into a government employee.
Those who live by the gun, die by the gun. Its a matter of time...
Raw doing overtime work nowadays
Hafiz Saeed is a great patriot and an asset. He should be given proper security.
@Gp65:
"I thought these were claimed to be non- state actors but if they get state protection, then that fig leaf also goes away does it not?"
Well Mr. Gp65, important private citizens are provided protection in every country.
For us Indians, Hafees Saeed is a terrorist. For Pakistanis, he is the head of a charity. Also, as you know, having lived in Karachi for many years in the 80s, you must be aware that those who are considered as enemies of India are given extra extra protection.
I thought these were claimed to be non- state actors but if they get state protection, then that fig leaf also goes away does it not?
So JuD leaders are State protected assets ??
Does anyone proofread these articles before publishing them?