In a development that further exposes Pakistan’s direct involvement in cross-border terrorism, the funeral in absentia (Janaza-Ghaib) of Tahir Habib, one of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists eliminated in Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir, has sparked a wave of unrest and open defiance against terror recruiters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). Held in the village of Khai Gala in Rawalakot, PoJK, the funeral not only confirmed Habib’s role in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, which claimed 26 civilian lives, but also became a flashpoint of resistance against Pakistan-backed militant networks.
Habib, a former Pakistan Army soldier and a category ‘A’ LeT operative, was among the three terrorists gunned down last week by Indian security forces in a precision strike in Srinagar under Operation Mahadev. Intelligence had long flagged Habib for his deep links with LeT and his active role in executing the Pahalgam attack. His death is now being seen as not just a tactical but also a symbolic victory for Indian forces in their continued crackdown on Pakistan-sponsored terror networks in the Valley.
The Janaza-Ghaib in Khai Gala was initially a quiet affair attended by elderly villagers and family members. However, the ceremony soon descended into chaos when local LeT commander Rizwan Hanif attempted to force his way into the gathering. The family of Habib had issued clear instructions disallowing the presence of any Lashkar representatives, an unusual and telling decision given Habib’s own affiliation with the group.
Funeral prayers (in absentia) were held for #Pahalgam terrorist Habib Tahir in Khai Gala, PoK.
This is Pak’s glorification of terrorism.
A country that worships killers can never be a victim.#TerrorStatePakistan @kakar_harsha @amritabhinder pic.twitter.com/dpfiipov3c
— Arushi Bhat (@BhatArushi) August 1, 2025
Hanif’s arrival, against the wishes of the family, led to a confrontation. Armed Lashkar men accompanying him reportedly threatened mourners at gunpoint to assert their dominance, but the move backfired. The villagers, already fatigued by years of radicalisation and violence, reacted with anger. Accounts from the village reveal that residents stood their ground and forced Hanif to retreat, refusing to let the militant outfit claim symbolic control over the funeral.
This unprecedented act of defiance by ordinary civilians against a known Lashkar commander is being viewed as a turning point in the sentiment of PoJK residents. It indicates a growing disillusionment with Pakistan’s state-sponsored terror machinery and the way militant groups like LeT have long used regions like Khai Gala as breeding grounds for radicalisation and recruitment. For years, fear and coercion kept dissent buried. That fear is now clearly eroding.
The fallout from this episode is already visible. Locals in Khai Gala are said to be planning a social boycott of militant operatives and recruiters, sending a strong signal to terror networks operating from PoJK. It also comes in the wake of India’s aggressive posturing through military operations like Operation Sindoor, a sustained counter-terror initiative launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam massacre. While Sindoor was primarily a military mission, its psychological and social effects are beginning to ripple across the border, as evidenced by the resistance in Khai Gala.
This evolving dynamic is significant. It not only validates India’s claims of Pakistani involvement in terror activities in Kashmir but also reflects the growing success of India’s multidimensional strategy in the region, combining precise military operations, infrastructure development, and counter-radicalisation efforts. The cumulative impact is now being felt not just in Jammu and Kashmir but also in Pakistan’s own backyard, where resentment against terror groups is increasingly turning vocal.
From Army to LeT: Tahir’s Past Fuels PoJK’s Present Revolt
Habib’s personal history adds further weight to the picture. Before joining LeT, he had been involved with the Islami Jamiat Talaba (IJT) and the Student Liberation Front (SLF), two ideological grooming platforms for radicalised youth in Pakistan. His tenure in the Pakistan Army offered him training and exposure, which he later channelled into militant operations for Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence records often referred to him by the alias ‘Afghani’, a reference to his ancestral roots in the Sadozai Pathan community. This community, which migrated from Afghanistan in the 18th century and had a legacy of resisting foreign control, is now witnessing a new form of resistance, not against India, but against the oppressive shadow of Pakistan’s proxy war.
The public rejection of Lashkar’s presence at the funeral of one of their own, and the villagers’ readiness to confront them, marks a tectonic shift in the region’s internal dynamics. It also raises serious questions about the sustainability of Pakistan’s terror infrastructure in the face of rising local backlash. For Indian security forces, this incident represents a clear vindication of their strategy: eliminating high-value targets like Habib not only weakens operational terror capabilities but also sows seeds of resistance among populations long manipulated by fear.
What unfolded in Khai Gala may appear to be a small village confrontation, but its implications are far larger. It reflects a crumbling narrative of terror hegemony and a silent revolution taking root in PoJK, one where people are beginning to say no to violence and ideological control. In the broader context of Kashmir’s future, this is a strategic win for India. Not just militarily, but morally and socially.
The decline in terror sympathies, combined with India’s continuing efforts to restore normalcy, investment, and infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, points towards a changing equation in the region, one where Pakistan’s lies are being dismantled, one village at a time.
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