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In yet another diplomatic flashpoint, Pakistan has denied the presence of a US-designated global terrorist at the funeral of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives killed in Indian airstrikes under Operation Sindoor, while India has presented photographic and documentary evidence contradicting Islamabad’s claims. A viral image last week showed a man leading funeral prayers in Muridke, a known LeT stronghold, following Indian precision strikes across the border. Indian officials identified the man as Hafiz Abdur Rauf, a senior LeT member and US-designated terrorist. Pakistan’s military, however, asserted that he was merely a “local cleric”.

Lt General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), held a press conference where he displayed a national identity card and described Rauf as a “simple party worker” and a “common family man.” According to NDTV, the military spokesperson said Rauf was the “Welfare Wing Incharge” of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), a political party backed by LeT founder Hafiz Muhammad Saeed.

However, the identity card presented by Pakistan bore the same name, CNIC number (35202-5400413-9), and date of birth (25 March 1973) as the individual sanctioned by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

“Few individuals are more integral to LeT’s fundraising than Hafiz Abdur Rauf,” the US Treasury had earlier stated while designating him under its sanctions list.

Rauf, a senior figure in PMML, had contested Pakistan’s 2024 general elections from Lahore’s NA-119 constituency. Another PMML candidate, Talha Saeed — son of Hafiz Saeed — also ran from NA-122. Both candidates, however, secured minimal votes.

According to India Today, Rauf previously headed the now-banned Falah-e-Insaniyat Foundation (FIF), LeT’s charity front, which had reportedly received funds from the defunct USAID. Indian officials have accused Pakistan of attempting to mainstream designated terrorists into politics through parties like the PMML.

‘Not Clerics Or Civilians, They Are Designated Terrorists’: Foreign Secy Misri On Viral Funeral Image

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, in a press briefing in New Delhi, presented photographic evidence showing uniformed Pakistani Army and police personnel at funerals of the terrorists killed in the May 7 strikes. One image showed Rauf leading the prayers, flanked by senior officers including Lt Gen Fayyaz Hussain Shah (Corps Commander, IV Corps, Lahore), Maj Gen Rao Imran Sartaj (GOC, 11 Infantry Division), Brig Mohammad Furqan Shabbir (Commander, 15 Hybrid Mechanised Brigade), Punjab’s Inspector General of Police Dr Usman Anwar, and MLA Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth.

“These are not clerics or civilians — they are designated terrorists and those who support them,” said Misri, adding, “They claim that only civilians were killed in the strikes on the 7th of May. We have made the point very clearly that all attacks on the morning of 7th May were against carefully selected terrorist infrastructure, terrorist targets.”

The funeral, held on 8 May in Muridke, reportedly featured full military protocol, with coffins draped in Pakistan’s national flag and a significant security presence, suggesting official backing. News agency IANS reported that video footage from the funeral further confirms the presence of Pakistani military officials standing behind Rauf.

US Treasury On Hafiz Abdur Rauf's Role In LeT

Pakistan has also appeared to conflate Hafiz Abdur Rauf with Abdul Rauf Azhar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, in an apparent attempt to deflect criticism. However, Indian officials have pointed out that Hafiz Abdur Rauf’s involvement in LeT’s propaganda and financial arms is well-documented and separate from Abdul Rauf Azhar’s operational record.

The US Treasury notes that since the early 2000s, Rauf has held various leadership roles in LeT, including Director of Public Service (2003), Director of Humanitarian Relief (2008), and chief of its charity fronts Idara Khidmat-e-Khalq (IKK) and later FIF. Despite sanctions by both the US and United Nations, Rauf has continued to operate within Pakistan with apparent impunity, India Today's report noted.

The May 7 airstrikes under Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure across the border, resulting in the death of over 100 militants.