At a time when Pakistan ironically holds the presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), it continues to brazenly serve as a safe haven and global epicentre for UN-designated terror groups. The most blatant evidence came yesterday when trained terrorists and commanders of the UN-designated terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen (HUM) roamed openly on the streets of Pakistani cities to mark the death anniversary of terrorist Burhan Wani, turning Pakistan’s urban spaces into stages of radical propaganda and jihadi indoctrination.
In Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the young Hizbul Mujahideen cadres held a public ceremony to pay tribute to Burhan Wani and other terrorists killed in encounters with Indian security forces, culminating in renewed pledges of jihad against India.
But most significantly, in Rawalpindi, just 12 kilometers from the Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ), over 40 Hizbul Mujahideen operatives, including members of the Hizbul Mujahideen’s elite “commando brigade,” marched openly on the streets, completely unchallenged by authorities.
Elite ‘Commando Brigade’ Marches Unchallenged
Exclusive images accessed by ABP News show terrorists marching in Rawalpindi wearing black shirts emblazoned with the “HM” insignia, AK-47 graphics, and slogans like “Jihad is My Life.” Many of them are members of Hizbul Mujahideen’s elite commando unit trained by the Pakistani Army, while others received training at Hizbul Mujahideen’s Kotli-based terror camp. This terror parade in Rawalpindi was led by Mohammad Shafique, seen wearing a blue kurta in the photo, a senior member of Hizbul Mujahideen’s central shura and a long-time aide of Syed Salahuddin, the group’s chief.
According to Intel sources, Mohammad Shafique underwent terror training in the 1980s at a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camp in Bannu for participation in the Afghan jihad. He came into contact with Syed Salahuddin in 1995 and has been closely associated with him ever since. Originally from Muzaffarabad, Shafique is currently based in Lahore and is linked to Jamaat-e-Islami PoK, an organisation banned in India under the UAPA.
Beyond the street parades, the UN-designated terror group Hizbul Mujahideen also held a mass gathering in Muzaffarabad Chowk where children and youths from jihad training camps were made to salute slain terrorists and then take the Jihadi Pledge against India. This event was organised jointly by Hizbul and Pasban-e-Hurriyat.
After this, there was a public address by Hizbul commander Mohammad Arif Wani to the elderly living at Muzaffarabad, and the stage displayed a portrait of Syed Salahuddin with Hizbul Mujahideen written on the poster, exposing further evidence of Pakistan’s continued celebration of listed terrorists.
Despite Hizbul Mujahideen (HUM) being declared a terrorist group by India, the United States, and the United Nations Security Council, and its Chief Syed Salahuddin alias Mohammad Yusuf Shah being declared a terrorist by the US and India, they continue to enjoy VIP treatment in Pakistan. As per Pakistani intelligence documents accessed by ABP News, in 2019, Pakistan’s intelligence agency issued an official letter in Salahuddin’s name to prevent vehicle inspections and ensure his smooth movement. This document was signed by Commander Officer Wajahat Ali Khan of the military intelligence wing.
Jihadi Indoctrination of Schoolchildren in PoK
Furthermore, in Muzaffarabad, the indoctrination of schoolchildren into jihad by Hizbul Mujahideen highlights a deeply rooted system of radicalisation within government schools, enabled by the Pakistani government, as evident in the events of July 8. ABP News has access to photographs dated February 26 this year, showing Hizbul commander Abdullah Hijazi teaching jihad to students at a government school in the Kohari area of Muzaffarabad. Video footage shows Hijazi telling the children that “Jihad has no age”, and that while they are kids today, they must take up jihad when they grow older.
This systemic terror indoctrination in schools, aided by the Pakistani government, has proven dangerously effective. A prime example is Hizbul terrorist Noman Ziaullah, who was killed in an encounter with the Indian Army last year. Noman was radicalised by Hizbul Mujahideen when he was at school, was trained at Hizbul’s terror camp from the age of 17, and was eventually sent to carry out attacks in India.
This evidence paints a clear picture: despite global condemnation and sanctions, Pakistan continues to provide a safe haven and support system for internationally designated terrorist groups operating from its soil, and that too when it is heading the United Nations Security Council.
