Who is Hafiz Abdul Rauf, the man who led funeral of terrorists killed in Op Sindoor?

Pakistan's continuous misinformation plots were outed once again when its top official publicly mentioned crucial details about Hafiz Abdul Rauf, the "innocent preacher" who had led the prayers for the terrorists killed by Indian strikes at the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) headquarters in Muridke.

Pakistan's Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry in a press conference made an attempt to portray Rauf as a common man with "three daughters and a son" who had led the prayers of terrorists killed at the LeT headquarters in Muridke, Pakistan's Punjab, during Operation Sindoor.

On terror watchlist

During the presentation, Chaudhry mentioned Rauf's Computerized National Identity Card (CNID) number 35202-5400413-9 besides giving his date of birth March 25, 1973 and the fact that he was a resident of Lahore.

Chaudhry even named and identified Rauf as an official of the Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML), specifically, its "Welfare Wing Incharge", with duties of collecting funds for welfare and development activities.

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This was a crucial mistake, as these details matched with the details about Rauf given in the database of Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the US Treasury department, which maintains a list of Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list (SDN List). He was outed as a designated terrorist of the LeT.

Who is Hafiz Abdul Rauf?

Rauf, an active member of the LeT since 1999, has been a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, often seen in his close proximity. He has been an integral leader and member of LeT.

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According to the US treasury department, Rauf is also the chief of Falah-i-Insaniat Foundation, operating LeT's relief operations in disguise. The US sanctions database gives a more accurate picture of Rauf's existence and footprints in Pakistan.

It provides a number of addresses used by Rauf, including three locations in Lahore and one in Khanewal district.

The OFAC database also gives his National ID No: NIC 277-93-113495, Pakistani passport CM1074131 issued on October 29, 2008 which expired in 2013, and another passport booklet: A7523531 also issued by Pakistan.

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As early as 2003, Rauf was involved in publicly defending the work of LeT-affiliated organisations, despite a formal ban imposed by Pakistan's own government. In interviews given to Pakistani news outlets and on LeT's official website, he claimed responsibility for managing fundraising and disaster relief under the guise of welfare operations. These activities, according to the US, were designed to provide cover for LeT's terrorist activities and evade international scrutiny.

Key personnel at funeral

India had earlier pointed out the nexus of the Pakistani state and terrorists operating on its soil when it flashed the photograph of Rauf leading the funeral prayers of terrorists.

This photo of Rauf allowed Indian intelligence to identify and release the names of a number of key Pakistani army personnel and police officials who attended the funeral.

This includes high-ranking officers such as Lt Gen Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Commander of the IV Corps of Lahore, Major General Rao Imran Sartaj of the 11th Infantry Division of Lahore, Inspector General of Police Usman Anwar, and Brigadier Mohammad Furqan Shabbir.

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"The identity details shared by DG ISPR completely overlap with the details of Hafiz Abdul Rauf, a member of LeT's senior leadership since at least 1999 and part of the US Sanctions List," a statement from India's Press Information Bureau said on Monday (May 12).

Govt backing

Pakistan's characterisation of Rauf as an innocent preacher is the latest instance in a long history of downplaying or denying links between state institutions and internationally-designated terrorists.

During the funeral, held in Muridke, near Lahore, several high-ranking officers of the Pakistan Army stood behind Rauf as he led the ceremony.

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Coffins wrapped in Pakistan's national flag were carried in military protocol, suggesting support for the terrorists.

The attendance of senior army and police officers in uniform and a wreath from Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan's Punjab Chief Minister and niece of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also showed public government backing for the terrorists and their organisations.