Shahid Latif, the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack and one of India's most wanted terrorists, has reportedly been shot down by unknown assailants in Pakistan today (Wednesday, Oct 11th).

Latif, who along with&nbsp;his driver, was headed towards a mosque for&nbsp;Fajr (morning) prayers, was assassinated&nbsp;near Masjid Noor in Sialkot's Daska.&nbsp;

The killing has been confirmed by&nbsp;DPO Sialkot Hassan, who said that&nbsp;Shahid Latif and another person were&nbsp;killed by an unknown person.

<h2>Who is&nbsp;Shahid Latif?</h2>

As per an Indian Ministry of Home Affairs notification, Shahid Latif, who is also known by aliases 'Chota Shahid Bhai' and 'Noor Al Din', is categorised as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.

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It further identifies him as a key member of proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM),&nbsp;a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation&nbsp;and the Launching Commander of the terrorist organisation's Sialkot sector.

Latif was the "key conspirator and co-coordinator"&nbsp;of the 2016 Pathankot attack and the handler of the four terrorists who sneaked into Pathankot Air Force Station. He was also known to supervise&nbsp;"launching of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists into India and also involved in&nbsp;planning, facilitation and execution of terror attacks in India".

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The 2016&nbsp;Pathankot attack claimed the lives of seven soldiers, while another 22 were wounded.

He was arrested in November 1994 on terrorism charges and after serving a 16-year prison sentence in, in 2010, Latif was deported through the Wagah border. The JeM terrorist was&nbsp;also an accused in the 24th December, 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines&nbsp;aircraft case (Kandhar Case).

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Shahid Latif, the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack and one of India's most wanted terrorists, has reportedly been shot down by unknown assailants in Pakistan today (Wednesday, Oct 11th).

Shahid Latif, the mastermind behind the Pathankot attack and one of India's most wanted terrorists, has reportedly been shot down by unknown assailants in Pakistan today (Wednesday, Oct 11th). Latif, who along with his driver, was headed towards a mosque for Fajr (morning) prayers, was assassinated near Masjid Noor in Sialkot's Daska. The killing has been confirmed by DPO Sialkot Hassan, who said that Shahid Latif and another person were killed by an unknown person. Who is Shahid Latif? As per an Indian Ministry of Home Affairs notification, Shahid Latif, who is also known by aliases 'Chota Shahid Bhai' and 'Noor Al Din', is categorised as a terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Also read | Arundhati Roy may face up to 7 years in prison for allegedly supporting calls for India's disintegration It further identifies him as a key member of proscribed terrorist organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), a Pakistan-based terrorist organisation and the Launching Commander of the terrorist organisation's Sialkot sector. Latif was the "key conspirator and co-coordinator" of the 2016 Pathankot attack and the handler of the four terrorists who sneaked into Pathankot Air Force Station. He was also known to supervise "launching of Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists into India and also involved in planning, facilitation and execution of terror attacks in India". Also read | Death toll in Afghanistan earthquake surpasses 2,400 as rescue efforts gain pace The 2016 Pathankot attack claimed the lives of seven soldiers, while another 22 were wounded. He was arrested in November 1994 on terrorism charges and after serving a 16-year prison sentence in, in 2010, Latif was deported through the Wagah border. The JeM terrorist was also an accused in the 24th December, 1999 hijacking of Indian Airlines aircraft case (Kandhar Case). WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Shahid Latif, Pathankot attack mastermind shot dead in Pakistan

India and the US have asked Pakistan to act on the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks and make sure its soil is not used by terror groups.

The joint statement released after third US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue said, "two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks" and to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot."

More than 170 people died in the 2008 Mumbai attack perpetrated by Pakistan based united listed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

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During the talks, US&nbsp;"reiterated" its support for the "people and government of India in the fight against terrorism."&nbsp;The talks were led by Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs of India Mahaveer Singhvi and the US&nbsp;State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales.

During the talks both sides denounced "use of terrorist proxies and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms" and emphasised the need for "concerted action" against all terrorist networks including al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh and Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul Mujahideen.

Focus by the two sides was also on "procedures for pursuing sanctions and designations against terrorist groups and individuals."&nbsp;

US played a key role in listing of Masood Azhar in the aftermath of Pulwama attack of 2019.

India and the US have asked Pakistan to act on the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks and make sure its soil is not used by terror groups. The joint statement released after third US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue said, "two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks" and to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot.

India and the US have asked Pakistan to act on the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks and make sure its soil is not used by terror groups. The joint statement released after third US-India Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group and Designations Dialogue said, "two sides underlined the urgent need for Pakistan to take immediate, sustained, and irreversible action to ensure that no territory under its control is used for terrorist attacks" and to "expeditiously bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks, including 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot." More than 170 people died in the 2008 Mumbai attack perpetrated by Pakistan based united listed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Also read: India, China foreign ministers agree to ease tensions; issue joint statement During the talks, US "reiterated" its support for the "people and government of India in the fight against terrorism." The talks were led by Joint Secretary for Counter Terrorism in the Ministry of External Affairs of India Mahaveer Singhvi and the US State Department Coordinator for Counterterrorism Ambassador Nathan A. Sales. During the talks both sides denounced "use of terrorist proxies and strongly condemned cross-border terrorism in all its forms" and emphasised the need for "concerted action" against all terrorist networks including al-Qa’ida, ISIS/Daesh and Pakistan based terror groups like Lashkar e-Tayyiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), and Hizb-ul Mujahideen. Focus by the two sides was also on "procedures for pursuing sanctions and designations against terrorist groups and individuals." US played a key role in listing of Masood Azhar in the aftermath of Pulwama attack of 2019.

India, US ask Pakistan to act on perpetrators of Mumbai and Pathankot attacks

A basic security protocol at the Indian Air Force&#39;s Pathankot air force station -&nbsp;despite precise intelligence information about an imminent attack - could have prevented terrorists storming the air force station in January 2016, an internal inquiry ordered by Indian PM Narendra Modi concludes.

The inquiry was ordered after PM Modi expressed his displeasure over the manner in which terrorists stormed the airbase in a meeting with top security officials, a media report states.

The report claims that the IAF, which initially hadn&#39;t ordered an inquiry, was forced to order one after the prime minister stepped in.

The inquiry, conducted by Air Vice-Marshal Amit Dev, has blamed security loopholes and senior IAF officials at the airbase not following basic security protocol, and for the terrorists infiltrating into the IAF station.

The report says the &quot;standard operating procedure to secure installations had been violated making it easy for the terrorist to enter and hide within the base&quot;.

Seven security personnel were killed after terrorists stormed the IAF fighter base near the India-Pakistan border on January 2, 2016 in an operation lasting three days.

The inquiry has reportedly concluded that the air force officials weren&#39;t able to come-up with comprehensive plan to defend the airbase despite &quot;clear and precise intelligence&quot; about the attack.

The then Pathankot Airbase Commander Air Commodore JS Dhamoon, who finds mention in the report, has resigned. Some IAF officers and soldiers are likely to lose their seniority as a punishment for not following procedure, the media report qupted top sources as saying.&nbsp;

The inquiry states that a few months before the attack, the route used by the terrorist to enter the airbase was called a &quot;vulnerable point&quot; after a mentally unstable man breached security using the same route.

 
&nbsp;

The inquiry was ordered after PM Modi expressed his displeasure over the manner in which terrorists stormed the airbase

A basic security protocol at the Indian Air Force's Pathankot air force station - despite precise intelligence information about an imminent attack - could have prevented terrorists storming the air force station in January 2016, an internal inquiry ordered by Indian PM Narendra Modi concludes. The inquiry was ordered after PM Modi expressed his displeasure over the manner in which terrorists stormed the airbase in a meeting with top security officials, a media report states. The report claims that the IAF, which initially hadn't ordered an inquiry, was forced to order one after the prime minister stepped in. The inquiry, conducted by Air Vice-Marshal Amit Dev, has blamed security loopholes and senior IAF officials at the airbase not following basic security protocol, and for the terrorists infiltrating into the IAF station. The report says the "standard operating procedure to secure installations had been violated making it easy for the terrorist to enter and hide within the base". Seven security personnel were killed after terrorists stormed the IAF fighter base near the India-Pakistan border on January 2, 2016 in an operation lasting three days. The inquiry has reportedly concluded that the air force officials weren't able to come-up with comprehensive plan to defend the airbase despite "clear and precise intelligence" about the attack. The then Pathankot Airbase Commander Air Commodore JS Dhamoon, who finds mention in the report, has resigned. Some IAF officers and soldiers are likely to lose their seniority as a punishment for not following procedure, the media report qupted top sources as saying. The inquiry states that a few months before the attack, the route used by the terrorist to enter the airbase was called a "vulnerable point" after a mentally unstable man breached security using the same route.

Basic security protocol could have prevented Pathankot terror attack: Report

The airbase station in northern Indian city Pathankot, which had witnessed a terror attack last year, was put on high alert on Tuesday&nbsp;and a massive search operation was initiated in the area following intelligence input about presence of suspicious men.

The joint operation of Punjab Police, the Army, the Air Force and the Himachal Pradesh Police was launched following the intelligence input, Pathankot SSP Nilambari Vijayjagdale said.

Without divulging much information, she said the search operation is part of precautionary measures and more than 500 security personnel are engaged in it.

The SSP said the operation is being carried out in villages and other areas located near the airbase station and air surveillance is also being conducted using helicopters.

Besides patrolling by security personnel, Quick Response Teams have also been deployed to check any suspicious activity, police said.

Last year, terrorists had sneaked in from across the border and attacked the air base on the intervening night of January 1-2 while Dinanagar in Gurdaspur was targeted on July 27 in 2015.

The Pathankot attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed.

In the Dinanagar attack, three heavily-armed terrorists wearing army fatigues had stormed a police station, killing seven persons, including a Superintendent of Police, before they were gunned down during a day-long operation. 
 
(PTI)

 
&nbsp;

More than 500 security personnel are conducting searches following intelligence input about presence of suspicious men.

The airbase station in northern Indian city Pathankot, which had witnessed a terror attack last year, was put on high alert on Tuesday and a massive search operation was initiated in the area following intelligence input about presence of suspicious men. The joint operation of Punjab Police, the Army, the Air Force and the Himachal Pradesh Police was launched following the intelligence input, Pathankot SSP Nilambari Vijayjagdale said. Without divulging much information, she said the search operation is part of precautionary measures and more than 500 security personnel are engaged in it. The SSP said the operation is being carried out in villages and other areas located near the airbase station and air surveillance is also being conducted using helicopters. Besides patrolling by security personnel, Quick Response Teams have also been deployed to check any suspicious activity, police said. Last year, terrorists had sneaked in from across the border and attacked the air base on the intervening night of January 1-2 while Dinanagar in Gurdaspur was targeted on July 27 in 2015. The Pathankot attack had claimed the lives of seven security personnel while four terrorists were killed. In the Dinanagar attack, three heavily-armed terrorists wearing army fatigues had stormed a police station, killing seven persons, including a Superintendent of Police, before they were gunned down during a day-long operation. (PTI)

India's Pathankot airbase station on high alert; massive search operations underway

India&#39;s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday sanctioned the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and three others for attacking an &nbsp;Indian Air Force base in Pathankot earlier this year.

Azhar is also wanted by India for the attack on an army base in Uri in September. JeM terrorists are believed to be behind the attack that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers.

Kashmir-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed is viewed by the Indian intelligence agencies as the principal terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir.

The group has been deemed as a terror outfit by India and US.

After the Pathankot attack, which claimed the lives of six soldiers, India had approached the UN Security Council (UNSC) to designate Azhar a terrorist, submitting a detailed dossier of his terrorist activities since 1993.

Its efforts were blocked by China, a permanent member of the UNSC and a key ally of Pakistan, which put the application on &#39;technical hold&#39; at the last minute. China was the only member of the 15-member UNSC to do so.

Besides India, the US, the UK and France had also &quot;co-sponsored&quot; the resolution seeking Azhar&#39;s listing as a terrorist.

After the Pathankot&nbsp;attack, a joint investigation team from Pakistan arrived in India for conducting a probe into the attack. However, after they returned, they claimed that India did not co-operate in the investigations and wanted to tarnish its image. 
&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from agencies)

Masood Azhar's Jaish-e-Mohammed been deemed as a terror outfit by India and US

India's Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday sanctioned the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to prosecute Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and three others for attacking an Indian Air Force base in Pathankot earlier this year. Azhar is also wanted by India for the attack on an army base in Uri in September. JeM terrorists are believed to be behind the attack that claimed the lives of 19 soldiers. Kashmir-based Islamist militant group Jaish-e-Mohammed is viewed by the Indian intelligence agencies as the principal terrorist organisation in Jammu and Kashmir. The group has been deemed as a terror outfit by India and US. After the Pathankot attack, which claimed the lives of six soldiers, India had approached the UN Security Council (UNSC) to designate Azhar a terrorist, submitting a detailed dossier of his terrorist activities since 1993. Its efforts were blocked by China, a permanent member of the UNSC and a key ally of Pakistan, which put the application on 'technical hold' at the last minute. China was the only member of the 15-member UNSC to do so. Besides India, the US, the UK and France had also "co-sponsored" the resolution seeking Azhar's listing as a terrorist. After the Pathankot attack, a joint investigation team from Pakistan arrived in India for conducting a probe into the attack. However, after they returned, they claimed that India did not co-operate in the investigations and wanted to tarnish its image. (WION with inputs from agencies)

India's NIA to prosecute JeM chief Masood Azhar for Pathankot terrorist attack

A day after the Indian news channel, NDTV, was asked to cease all its broadcast for 24 hours by Indian information and broadcasting ministry, several political leaders and journalists have condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government&#39;s decision.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

An inter-ministerial panel on Thursday pointed out that the channel&#39;s report disclosed the details of the military aircraft and weapons kept at the air base which were &ldquo;likely to be used by the terrorists themselves or their handlers to cause massive harm,&quot; international news agency AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

However, NDTV said that it is being singled out &nbsp;while other channels also played similar coverage because of its run-ins with the Narendra Modi-government previously.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Meanwhile, reacting to the day-long ban to be imposed on NDTV, opposition leader and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, posted on microblogging site Twitter: &quot;NDTVBanned-shocking and unprecedented (sic).&quot;&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Editors Guild of India, the Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) also criticised the decision.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

The Editors Guild of India said the measure evoked memories of the 1975-77 emergency rule when fundamental rights were suspended in the world`s largest democracy and large numbers of journalists were jailed, AFP reported.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&quot;The decision to take the channel off the air for a day is a direct violation of the freedom of the media and therefore the citizens of India and amounts to harsh censorship imposed by the government reminiscent of the Emergency,&quot; the guild said in a statement.

&nbsp;

&quot;Imposing a ban without resorting to judicial intervention or oversight violates the fundamental principles of freedom and justice. The Editors Guild of India calls for an immediate withdrawal of the ban order.&quot;

&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)&nbsp;

The news channel alleged that it was being singled out while other channels also played similar reportage

A day after the Indian news channel, NDTV, was asked to cease all its broadcast for 24 hours by Indian information and broadcasting ministry, several political leaders and journalists have condemned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's decision. An inter-ministerial panel on Thursday pointed out that the channel's report disclosed the details of the military aircraft and weapons kept at the air base which were “likely to be used by the terrorists themselves or their handlers to cause massive harm," international news agency AFP reported. However, NDTV said that it is being singled out while other channels also played similar coverage because of its run-ins with the Narendra Modi-government previously. Meanwhile, reacting to the day-long ban to be imposed on NDTV, opposition leader and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, posted on microblogging site Twitter: "NDTVBanned-shocking and unprecedented (sic)." The Editors Guild of India, the Broadcast Editors Association (BEA) and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) also criticised the decision. The Editors Guild of India said the measure evoked memories of the 1975-77 emergency rule when fundamental rights were suspended in the world`s largest democracy and large numbers of journalists were jailed, AFP reported. "The decision to take the channel off the air for a day is a direct violation of the freedom of the media and therefore the citizens of India and amounts to harsh censorship imposed by the government reminiscent of the Emergency," the guild said in a statement. "Imposing a ban without resorting to judicial intervention or oversight violates the fundamental principles of freedom and justice. The Editors Guild of India calls for an immediate withdrawal of the ban order." (WION with inputs from AFP)

One-day ban on Indian news channel over Pathankot reportage sparks outrage