Pakistan-Based: Concerns Grow Over Hamas Links With Militant Networks
Pakistan-Based: Over the past 18 months, multiple intelligence assessments have pointed to a growing presence of Hamas operatives in Pakistan, including participation in public-facing gatherings. According to officials familiar with regional security developments, Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency has maintained open channels with Hamas leaders and facilitated coordination with established Pakistan-based militant organisations, notably Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Hamas After Prolonged Conflict With Israel
Hamas has emerged from its extended confrontation with Israel significantly weakened, security officials say. While the group retains the capability to carry out high-impact attacks, sustained military pressure has disrupted its operational structure. Repeated efforts by Hamas to reorganise within Gaza have reportedly faltered, largely due to continued Israeli surveillance and targeted actions aimed at preventing the group’s recovery.
Outreach to Pakistan’s Intelligence Establishment
Facing mounting constraints in Gaza, Hamas leaders are said to have sought logistical support beyond the region. Intelligence sources indicate that the ISI responded positively, offering space and assistance for regrouping efforts. An official from India’s Intelligence Bureau stated that training activities are underway in Pakistan, with new recruits allegedly being transported into the country to participate in these programmes alongside members of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Perceived Safe Haven Outside the Conflict Zone
Officials note that Hamas views Pakistan as a comparatively secure environment for such activities. The assessment is based on the belief that Israeli forces would be unlikely to strike targets on Pakistani soil. This perceived immunity, according to intelligence inputs, allows Hamas cadres to operate with fewer immediate security risks than they face in or around Gaza.
Implications for Indian Security Interests
Indian agencies have conveyed concerns about the broader implications of Hamas’s presence in Pakistan. While officials assess that Hamas itself is unlikely to conduct operations directly targeting India, the association with groups that have a history of attacks on Indian soil raises alarms. The training and interaction between these organisations are viewed as a potential force multiplier for regional militancy.
Transfer of Tactical Expertise
Compared with Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hamas is considered to possess more advanced operational experience, particularly in urban warfare and coordinated assaults. During joint training sessions, officials believe Hamas operatives may be sharing tactical knowledge and technical skills. Indian security planners warn that this exchange could enhance the operational sophistication of Pakistan-based militant groups.
Militant Groups Rebuilding After Indian Operations
The timing of this cooperation is also significant. Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed are in rebuilding phases following losses inflicted by the Indian Armed Forces during Operation Sindoor. Jaish-e-Mohammed reportedly suffered heavy casualties, including the destruction of its headquarters in Bahawalpur. Lashkar-e-Taiba, meanwhile, lost personnel and a key training facility in Muridke during the same operation, which was launched in response to a deadly attack in Pahalgam.
Funding Channels and Alleged Misuse of Donations
Although Hamas maintains independent funding networks, intelligence officials allege that its name has been leveraged by intermediaries linked to the ISI to raise funds. Under the guise of humanitarian aid for Gaza, substantial sums were reportedly collected. According to these assessments, the funds were diverted to rebuild infrastructure damaged during Indian military actions, rather than being directed to Hamas-related relief efforts.
International Reactions and Diplomatic Questions
Regional analysts argue that these developments highlight contradictions in Pakistan’s public diplomacy. Attention has focused on the decision by US President Donald Trump to invite Pakistan to participate in the US-led Board of Peace, an initiative intended to support stability and reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Security experts question the move, citing concerns that Pakistan’s alleged support for Hamas undermines the stated objectives of promoting long-term peace in the region.