Mastermind of Pahalgam Attack Threatens Mumbai-Style Strike via Sea

Islamabad: A new video released by Pakistani terrorist Saifullah Kasuri, the alleged mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, reveals plans for a maritime assault on India, reminiscent of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Kasuri, a high-ranking operative of the notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and one of its most wanted terrorists, has vowed to carry out an attack by sea in 2026.

Threat from the Sea

Citing CNN-News18, Kasuri claims that Pakistan, after asserting dominance in the air in 2025, now plans to extend its control to the sea. He states that no “enemy” will find a safe space on land, air, or water, describing the planned operation as “Allah’s will.” In the video, he swears an oath that Pakistan will soon assert control across all strategic domains.

Security sources interpret this video as a pre-warning of a maritime attack similar to 26/11, when LeT operatives infiltrated Mumbai via the Arabian Sea, killing nearly 170 people.

Links to Past Operations

Kasuri was directly involved in the Pahalgam attack, after which India launched Operation Sindur, targeting LeT infrastructure. During the operation, 10 members of Masood Azhar’s family were killed, and nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and PoK were struck. In the video, Kasuri expresses anger over these Indian counter-terror operations in Muridke and Bahawalpur, key LeT strongholds.

He also attempts to rally support by blaming India for “water terrorism” and unrest in Balochistan, while threatening attacks on religious sites in India, including a veiled reference to Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

Backing from Pakistan’s Military

Kasuri openly claims coordination with the Pakistani Army, reinforcing long-held concerns that Pakistani terrorist networks operate with state support. Top intelligence officials suggest that these threats signal a regrouping of Pakistani terror infrastructure following Operation Sindur.

Security experts note that the video also aims to boost morale among LeT operatives who were demoralized after India’s operations. However, India now maintains tight surveillance across the Arabian Sea, making any repeat of 26/11 extremely difficult.