New Delhi (India) April 17:Security sources confirmed that Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) co-founder Amir Hamza was shot by unidentified men in Pakistan's Lahore . According to sources, the 66-year-old, deemed to be second most important leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba, after Hafiz Saeed, is in critical condition.

Gunmen Target Hamza Outside News Channel

Hamza, known to be involved in various terror attacks in India was attacked outside a news channel in Lahore, by unidentified men. He was taken to a local hospital in Lahore and is in a very critical condition.
No statement about who shot Amir Hamza and why, had come from any group or individual. The development is crucial because Hamza is a high-value leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence sources said that there could be any reason behind it, like internal rifts within the terror group or involvement of foreign agencies.

Second Attack on LeT Leader in Less Than a Year

It is not the first time Hamza was shot by unidentified persons in less than a year's time. In May last year, the infamous terrorist was shot outside his residence in Lahore and was rushed to hospital, where he underwent treatment for his injuries. He was provided security by the Pakistan government after the attack. However, they maintained silence over the incident.

US Sanctions Hamza for LeT Fundraising Role

The United States (US) Treasury Department has designated Amir Hamza as a sanctioned terrorist for being instrumental in raising funds for Lashkar-e-Taiba , also known as (LeT) or (JeM) which is a Pakistan-based designated terrorist organisation.
Hamza formed the Jaish-e-Manqafa in 2018 to collect funds from sympathizers following the ban on Jamat-ud-Dawa and Falah-e-Insaniat Foundation, which were designated by the US, on the charges of helping LeT.

Hamza Forms Jaish-e-Manqafa After LeT Fronts Banned

He has also founded Jaish-e-Manqafa which acts with Lashkar and is responsible for terror attacks in India and Union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir.
A veteran Afghan mujahedeen, Hamza remains one of the key personalities in Lashkar-e-Taiba. He held various important positions in the terror group and worked closely with Hafiz Saeed, in the field of fundraising and promoting propaganda campaigns for LeT.

Amir Edits LeT's Official Propaganda Magazine

Known for his electrifying speeches, Hamza is also credited with the authorship of numerous books on the concept of jihadi terrorism and he has authored a book titled Qafila Da'wat aur Shahadat (Caravan of Proselytizing and Martyrdom) in the year 2002. The Lashkar's official magazine's editor is Amir Hamza.
In early 2000s, Hamza was assigned the responsibility of setting up terrorist bases in India and was among those involved in the 2005 Bengaluru attack on the Indian Institute of Science.