In a recent development that has stirred significant debate on social media platforms, Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem, who clinched a gold medal in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics 2024, has been linked to a member of the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The controversy erupted after an Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) handle on X (formerly Twitter) shared a video that shows Nadeem in the company of Muhammad Harris Dar, identified as the Joint Secretary of the Milli Muslim League (MML), a political party known to be a front for LeT.
The video, which has since gone viral, captures a conversation between Nadeem and Dar, in which the latter congratulates Nadeem on his Olympic victory and expresses that his achievement has brought pride to the entire Muslim community. The footage has sparked a heated discussion about the extent to which the influence of Islamic terror groups like LeT permeates the lives of ordinary citizens in neighbouring countries.
After winning the Gold medal, Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem meets Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Harris Dhar.
Some mixed DNA Hindus were ready to make him their father after he defeated Neeraj… There was a race among casteist clowns to claim him as theirs… pic.twitter.com/E8v8N6KyXw
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) August 13, 2024
LeT, designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations, is infamous for its involvement in numerous attacks, including the devastating Mumbai attacks in 2008 that claimed 166 lives. The mastermind behind these attacks, Hafiz Saeed, is also the founder of MML, which was formed as a political facade for LeT. In 2018, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated MML and several of its officials, including Muhammad Harris Dar, as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
According to US records, Dar was specifically designated for acting on behalf of LeT. Prior to his role in MML, Dar served as an officer in LeT’s student wing, the Al-Muhammadiya Students (AMS), which was also designated by the US Department of State in 2016. As of early 2016, Dar was reportedly involved in providing first aid and firefighting instruction at an LeT training camp that included training on weapon skills and assault tactics.
This revelation has raised serious concerns about the potential links between the sporting world and terrorist organisations. Dar is also known for his anti-India rhetoric, often making inflammatory speeches at public rallies. In one such instance, he expressed his belief that India would be forced to leave Kashmir, drawing parallels with the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the nature of Nadeem’s relationship with Dar and the extent to which the Pakistani government is aware of or complicit in such associations.
