Funeral of Pulwama attack mastermind in Islamabad draws alleged terror chiefs and armed presence, reigniting concerns over militant networks and regional security tensions, reports Asian Lite News Desk
Senior terror figures and individuals linked to Pakistan-based militant networks reportedly gathered for the funeral of Hamza Burhan, a man described by Indian authorities as a key planner behind the 2019 Pulwama attack, in Islamabad, according to visuals circulating on social media and local media reports.
Burhan, also known as Arjumand Gulzar Dar and allegedly operating under the codename “Doctor”, was buried in the Pakistani capital a day after he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), according to regional reporting.
Footage and images shared online reportedly showed the presence of several high-profile figures, including Syed Salahuddin, the chief of the Hizbul Mujahideen, and Bakht Zameen Khan of the Al-Badr. Some reports also claimed individuals linked to Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) were present at the funeral gathering in Islamabad, although these claims have not been independently verified.
The ceremony, according to circulating visuals, was marked by a heavy armed presence, with individuals carrying automatic weapons including AK-47 rifles deployed around the funeral site. Social media videos further suggested participation from cadres linked to banned militant outfits, underscoring the security-sensitive nature of the gathering.
Burhan has been identified by Indian officials as a key figure involved in planning and supporting the 2019 Pulwama attack, which killed over 40 personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). He was designated a terrorist by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs in 2022 for alleged involvement in recruitment, radicalisation and funding operations linked to Al-Badr activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports further indicate that Burhan had been living under cover in PoK in recent years, working as a teacher and serving as principal of a private college in Muzaffarabad, approximately 135 kilometres from Islamabad. According to local police sources, he was shot at close range on Thursday morning after stepping out of the college premises, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds to the head.
The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions and follows previous claims of funerals of militants being attended by senior figures in Pakistan’s security and administrative establishment. Earlier this year, similar allegations surfaced after militant deaths during Indian military operations, with visuals reportedly showing state-linked participation in burial ceremonies.
Indian authorities have not officially commented on the latest reports, while the circulation of funeral imagery has once again triggered concerns over the presence and influence of proscribed militant networks in Pakistan.
