In a stunning exposé that peels back the layers of clandestine terror networks, India Today’s special report reveals a dramatic shift in the once-secure sanctuaries for enemies of India. The world of terror in Pakistan is undergoing a seismic transformation, marked by a series of high-profile casualties and an internal power struggle that threatens to upend the status quo.

A Bloody End in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

The investigation begins with the chilling image of Rayaz Ahmed, also known as Abu Qasim, lying lifeless in a mosque in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). His life was brutally cut short on September 8, a day when he thought he was safe within the walls of a place of worship. Abu Qasim, a notorious Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, had long evaded justice, crossing into Pakistan in 1999 and orchestrating numerous terror attacks in India. His demise in PoK’s Rawalkot at the hands of unidentified assailants sends a clear message that even the most wanted figures are not immune to the shifting tides of fate.

Reckoning with Jaish-e-Mohammad and Hizbul

Maulana Masood Azhar, the mastermind behind several terror attacks in India and the founder of Jaish-e-Mohammad, once found refuge in a madrasa in Peshawar after Indian airstrikes targeted Jaish-e-Mohammad camps in Balakot in February 2019. However, just months later, an explosion rocked the very foundation of his shelter, forcing him into hiding. Azhar’s mysterious disappearance raises questions about the fate of other notorious figures like him.

Similarly, Bashir Ahmad Peer, a commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen responsible for recruiting and infiltrating armed terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, met a tragic end earlier this year. Peer, alongside his superior Syed Salahuddin, operated with impunity under the protection of the Pakistani state. However, his point-blank shooting exposed the vulnerability of these once-untouchable figures.

A Pattern Emerging?

A closer examination of recent headlines suggests a recurring pattern. Figures like Syed Khalid Raza of Al-Badr, Mistry Zahoor Ibrahim of Jaish-e-Mohammad, and Paramjit Singh Panjwar, also known as Malik Sardar Singh of Khalistan Commando Force, all met violent ends in separate attacks in Pakistan. Even beyond Pakistan’s borders, the shadow of retribution looms large. Lal Mohammad, a suspected ISI operative involved in counterfeit Indian currency, met a similar fate on the outskirts of Kathmandu in Nepal.

In recent years, several individuals from India’s most-wanted list have become targets of direct attacks. Notable instances include a powerful blast near Hafiz Saeed, a UN-designated global terrorist, and the injury of his son Talha Saeed in Lahore. Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the chief of the Khalistan Tiger Force, was also killed in Surrey, Canada.

Pakistan’s Blame Game

Pakistan’s interior ministry has attempted to deflect blame, implicating India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and even pointing fingers at Babloo Srivastava, a former gangster serving a life term in Bareilly Jail. However, experts in New Delhi have categorically rejected these claims, highlighting that RAW does not engage in assassinations.

What emerges from these incidents is the possibility that controlled chaos has spiraled out of control for Pakistani agencies. Non-state actors created and nurtured by various arms of the Pakistani establishment to target India are now embroiled in their own struggle for survival, power, and relevance.

Pakistan’s intelligence bureau recently acknowledged the involvement of Muhammad Ali, a former commando from its own paramilitary federal law enforcement corps, in some of these attacks within Pakistan. This revelation exposes the fragile foundation of Pakistan’s house of terror, carefully constructed over the years.

Former RAW officer NK Sood emphasized, “RAW is an intelligence agency that works for the security of the country and does not get involved in killing people or terrorists. It is the policy of Pakistan’s ISI to send terrorists to different countries. They eliminate their own people and these individuals who have been killed, either in Pakistan, PoK, or Canada, had become a liability for Pakistan.”

Denmark's parliament has passed a law banning the burning of the Holy Quran.

The law was passed by the country's parliament on Thursday (December 7) local time amid outrage from Muslim countries.

Qatar-based media Al Jazeera reported that after the law is passed, it will be considered a crime if someone burns the Holy Quran. And the offender must serve a maximum sentence of two years. In addition, a fine must be paid.

Last January, the Holy Quran was burned in front of a mosque in Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and in front of the Turkish embassy. A person named Rasmus Paludan was associated with this incident. He is the leader of Hard Line, a hard-right political party in Denmark.

Muslim countries expressed great anger in that incident. In such a context, the country decided to stop burning the Holy Quran.

The law was voted on in Denmark's parliament before it was passed. In this vote of 179 MPs, 94 MPs voted in favor of the law, while 77 voted against it.

In an immediate reaction after the law was passed, former minister Inger Stoiberg said the law would take away freedom of expression. But Danish Prime Minister Mite Frederiksen said the law would not criminalize criticism of religion.

The US Senate has blocked a billion-dollar security assistance bill for Ukraine and Israel.

Republican senators on Wednesday (Dec. 6) blocked the bill to push for tougher measures to stop migrants from crossing the border with Mexico. British news agency Reuters reported this information.

President Joe Biden's proposed 110.5 billion funding bill was 49 in favor, 51 against, according to the report. This means the bill did not get the support of 60 required for debate in the 100-member Senate.

Joe Biden's reasoning for approving the proposal for new funds for Ukraine and Israel was that not allocating this money would be a "gift" from the United States to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Also, if Ukraine freezes in the current winter season, the people there will be in great trouble due to lack of money. Of the proposed money, Biden wanted 61 billion for aid to Ukraine. The rest of the money goes to Israel and Palestinian aid to Gaza.

But independent Senator Bernie Sanders, who usually votes for Democrats, made an exception this time. He voted against the bill, expressing concern over Israel's inhumane military tactics against Palestinians.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer voted no. So that he can bring the proposal to reconsider the bill again.

Republicans said the move was necessary to tighten immigration policies and controls at the southern border.

Two Israeli soldiers, including the son of wartime cabinet member Gadi Eisenkot, were killed in the Palestinian Gaza Strip. Through this, Israel has lost 90 soldiers so far after the ground operation in Gaza.

On Thursday (December 7), the Qatar-based media Al Jazeera reported this information.

According to a statement from the Israeli military, reserve soldier Mir Izenkot was killed in a bomb explosion in the Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Another soldier was also killed in the southern Gaza Strip, it said. Two more soldiers were seriously injured in the encounter.

The army said 416 soldiers had been killed in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7.

Israel resumed its military offensive in the Gaza Strip on December 1, after a week-long humanitarian ceasefire with the Palestinian group Hamas ended.

At least 17,177 Palestinians have been killed and more than 46,000 injured in non-stop air and ground attacks on the Palestinian Gaza Strip since October 7.

UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly and Rwandan Foreign Minister Vincent Bairuta signed an agreement with the country's government to relocate undocumented migrants to Rwanda.

The British Home Secretary signed an agreement with Foreign Minister Vincent Bairuta on Tuesday (December 5).

This information was given in the report of the news agency Reuters.

It is to be noted that the discussion about sending immigrants to Rwanda started during the time of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Then the British Supreme Court objected to it, the court said, if Rwanda pushes the migrants who left Britain to another country - in that case, the matter will be in conflict with the principles and ideals of the United Kingdom.

Later, the current government led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's, after providing assurance on this matter, the Supreme Court removed the objection, paving the way for an agreement with Rwanda.