LeT Commander Killed Inside Muridke Complex After Eid Prayers, Raises Questions Over Internal Security

Lahore | March 21, 2026 In a significant and unusual incident, a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Bilal Arif Salafi, was killed inside the group’s Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke near Lahore shortly after Eid prayers on Saturday. The incident has drawn attention to possible internal security lapses within the organisation. According to initial reports, the Eid gathering at the complex was attended by several senior figures, including Maulana Abu Zar and Maulana Abdul Rehman Abid. Soon after the prayers concluded, Salafi was attacked by two individuals as he exited the prayer area. One assailant reportedly fired at close range, while a woman attacked him with a sharp weapon, causing critical injuries. Sources indicate that Salafi was immediately taken to a nearby hospital by fellow operatives, but he succumbed to his injuries before receiving medical treatment. Eyewitness accounts also suggest that a senior figure present at the location was briefly restrained during the incident, adding to concerns over confusion and lack of coordination at the site. The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, and there has been no official confirmation on whether it was an internal conflict or an external breach. However, the nature of the assault and the involvement of a woman have raised speculation about a possible pre-planned operation within the ranks. LeT Commander Killed Inside Muridke Complex After Eid Prayers, Raises Questions Over Internal Security In a significant and unusual incident, a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Bilal Arif Salafi, was killed inside the group’s Markaz Taiba complex in Muridke near Lahore shortly after Eid prayers on Saturday. The incident has drawn attention to possible internal security lapses within the organisation. According to initial reports, the Eid gathering at the complex was attended by several senior figures, including Maulana Abu Zar and Maulana Abdul Rehman Abid. Soon after the prayers concluded, Salafi was attacked by two individuals as he exited the prayer area. One assailant reportedly fired at close range, while a woman attacked him with a sharp weapon, causing critical injuries. Sources indicate that Salafi was immediately taken to a nearby hospital by fellow operatives, but he succumbed to his injuries before receiving medical treatment. Eyewitness accounts also suggest that a senior figure present at the location was briefly restrained during the incident, adding to concerns over confusion and lack of coordination at the site. The exact motive behind the attack remains unclear, and there has been no official confirmation on whether it was an internal conflict or an external breach. However, the nature of the assault and the involvement of a woman have raised speculation about a possible pre-planned operation within the ranks.