Cleric killed in Peshawar; ISI faces backlash

Mufti Munir Shakir, a cleric known for criticizing the Pakistani state, was killed in an IED attack in Peshawar. This incident has sparked significant anger against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the military. At his funeral, mourners blamed the Pakistani intelligence agency for his death. Thousands chanted slogans accusing the military of targeting the Pashtun community. The attack occurred near the Urmur Police Station on March 15. According to police, Mufti Shakir was injured when an improvised explosive device was detonated as he entered a mosque. Video footage shows he was with two others at the time of the blast. The police have launched a case against unknown militants. Mufti Shakir was known for using FM radio to express his views against the Pakistani establishment. He founded a militant group called Lashkar-e-Islam in 2004 and was linked to other organizations promoting similar ideologies. In another development, a new militant group, Harqat Inqilab Islami Pakistan (IIP), has claimed to be targeting Pakistani security forces. The group's leader, Ghazi Shahabuddin, released a video with armed militants, indicating a focus on operations within Pakistan. This emergence follows the rise of another group, Jaish-e-Umari, which claims to have over 1,000 fighters. These developments could worsen the internal security situation in Pakistan.