On the morning of October 11, 2023, in Daska, Punjab province, Pakistan, a mosque became the scene of a violent act. Two men, posing as worshippers, unleashed a hail of bullets, resulting in two casualties.
Among those killed was Shahid Latif, a known associate of Masood Azhar, who founded Jaish-e-Mohammad, an extremist group opposing India. An additional individual, whose details remain undisclosed, also lost their life in the attack.
While the culprits behind this act and their motivations are still under investigation, no groups have come forward to claim the attack. Hassan Iqbal, a top local police official, speculates that the prime motive might have been to target Latif.
Latif’s controversial links to the Jaish-e-Mohammad group are significant. He is believed to have played a role in the 2016 assault on an Indian military base in Pathankot, resulting in the deaths of seven Indian soldiers.
The dispute between India and Pakistan, particularly over the Kashmir region, is longstanding. The region, divided between the two nations, has been a focal point of contention since 1947. This recent occurrence in Daska only adds to the intricate nature of their diplomatic relations. The repercussions of this event are closely being watched by both countries and the international community.