New Delhi: In a major blow to Pakistan’s narrative, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander has publicly admitted that the group’s headquarters at Markaz Taiba in Muridke was destroyed by Indian forces during the May 7 overnight strikes under Operation Sindoor.
In a viral video circulating on social media, LeT commander Qaasim is seen standing in front of an under-construction site at Muridke, Sheikhupura district, acknowledging the destruction. “I am standing on the ruins of Markaz Taiba in Muridke, which was destroyed in the Indian attack. The process of rebuilding it is underway. With God’s grace, this mosque will be built bigger than before,” he said.
Qaasim further admitted that many mujahideen and talaba (trainees) had been trained at the now-destroyed facility, calling their operations a “victory.” His statement directly contradicts Islamabad’s claim that the building was no longer being used by the terror group.
In another video, Qaasim urged Pakistani youth to join Daura-e-Suffa, Lashkar’s jihadi training programme that combines basic military training with religious indoctrination.
Muridke was among nine key terror sites destroyed in Indian strikes targeting Lashkar, Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and Hizbul Mujahideen facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The operation was launched days after terrorists killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam.
Adding to the revelations, a separate viral clip shows LeT deputy chief Saifullah Kasuri openly claiming that Pakistan’s government and army are funding the reconstruction of the Muridke headquarters. Indian intelligence agencies have corroborated these claims in a dossier seen by NDTV, confirming that Lashkar is quietly rebuilding its base with an eye on February 5, 2026 Kashmir Solidarity Day to inaugurate the new complex during its annual convention.
Earlier, JeM commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri had made similar disclosures about the Bahawalpur strikes, saying Masood Azhar’s family was “torn into pieces” and that Pakistan Army generals attended the funerals of those killed.
These admissions further weaken Pakistan’s denial of hosting active terror infrastructure and highlight the strategic impact of Operation Sindoor.
