Hafiz Abdul Salam Bhuttavi, a prominent figure and founding member of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has died while in custody at a Pakistani prison. Bhuttavi, known for his involvement in training terrorists responsible for the deadly 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was serving a 16-year sentence for his role in financing terrorism.
Multiple terror group organisations linked to LeT have confirmed the demise of Bhuttavi and asserted that he passed away due to a heart attack while incarcerated. These organisations posted a video showing his funeral, which took place at LeT's centre in Muridke, located near Lahore.
While Indian intelligence officials have verified Bhuttavi's death, they have only limited information available at this time. Bhuttavi had previously assumed the role of acting leader of LeT during the imprisonment of the organisation's founder, Hafiz Saeed.
The LeT operative was detained in 2020 and subsequently convicted for financing terrorism, alongside Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law. As a result of his involvement in illicit financial activities, Bhuttavi received a sentence of 16 and a half years in prison.
The 2008 Mumbai attacks sent shockwaves across the world, claiming the lives of 166 individuals, including citizens of the United States and the United Kingdom. According to the US Treasury Department, Bhuttavi played a pivotal role in funding, recruiting, and indoctrinating LeT operatives who carried out the Mumbai attacks.
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