During a press briefing, the Foreign Secretary stated, ‘We possess credible evidence indicating the connections between Indian agents and the assassination of two Pakistani nationals on Pakistani soil.’ Qazi explained that these killings were linked to ‘higher cases’ and involved a ‘sophisticated international set-up spread over multiple jurisdictions.’
According to Qazi, Indian agents utilized technology and safe havens on foreign soil to carry out assassinations in Pakistan. He claimed that they recruited, financed, and supported individuals, including criminals, terrorists, and unwitting civilians, to play specific roles in these assassinations.
Qazi mentioned that Indian media and social media accounts celebrated these killings as ‘successful retribution against enemies of India’ and showcased India’s capability to carry out such illegal acts.
He detailed the recruitment process, stating that potential assassins were recruited through social media, talent spotters, and fake Daesh accounts. Qazi highlighted the involvement of teams comprising financiers, locators, and assassins, with carefully devised exit plans to conceal any potential tracks.
Providing specifics about the assassinations, he said, ‘On October 11, 2023, Mr. Shahid Latif was assassinated outside a mosque in Sialkot.’ Qazi revealed that an Indian agent named Yogesh Kumar, based in a third country, orchestrated the assassination. Muhammad Umair, a laborer in the third country, was recruited by Kumar to act as a contact with local criminals in Pakistan for tracing and assassinating Shahid Latif.
After multiple failed attempts, Muhammad Umair was personally sent to Pakistan to carry out the assassination. He organized a team of five target killers who ultimately succeeded in assassinating Shahid Latif. Law enforcement authorities apprehended the target killers, including Muhammad Umair, who were attempting to flee the country on October 12, 2023.
Qazi emphasized that all those involved in the killings were apprehended, and a legal case was underway. He asserted, ‘We have evidence of transactions made in the process linking the entire chain to Indian agent Yogesh Kumar.’