National: Amir Hamza, one of the founding ideologues of the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), sustained injuries in a domestic accident at his residence in Lahore, according to sources familiar with the matter.
The incident, which occurred earlier this week, led to widespread speculation on social media that Hamza had been shot. However, a preliminary inquiry has since dismissed those rumours, confirming that his injuries were not the result of gunfire.
Currently under medical care, Hamza remains a controversial figure in the global counterterrorism landscape. A veteran of the Afghan mujahideen, he is considered a key architect of LeT’s ideological foundation and was instrumental in shaping the group’s extremist narrative. He previously served as editor of LeT’s official publication and is the author of several militant treatises, including the 2002 work Qafila Da’wat aur Shahadat (“Caravan of Proselytising and Martyrdom”).
Hamza has been designated a terrorist by the U.S. Treasury Department and was believed to be part of LeT’s top command structure, where he played a pivotal role in recruitment, fundraising, and prisoner negotiations. Following Pakistan’s 2018 clampdown on LeT-affiliated charities such as Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, Hamza reportedly distanced himself from the organisation. He is said to have later formed a splinter group called Jaish-e-Manqafa, allegedly to continue militant activities, particularly targeting Jammu and Kashmir.
Authorities have not issued a formal statement regarding Hamza’s current medical condition. His injury has nevertheless reignited attention on his longstanding role in regional militancy and the evolving threat posed by breakaway extremist factions in Pakistan.