Who Was LeT Commander Sheikh Yousuf Afridi? Hafiz Saeed's Close Aide Shot Dead In Pakistan

Last Updated:April 27, 2026, 11:26 IST

Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Sheikh Yousuf Afridi, close aide of Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, amid a rising wave of targeted killings of terrorists in Pakistan.

Sheikh Yousuf Afridi, a senior commander of terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in what authorities suspect was a targeted killing. The shooters reportedly fired multiple rounds at Afridi, leaving him no chance to escape.

All About Sheikh Yousuf Afridi

Afridi was regarded as a key operational figure for LeT in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, acting as an important figure in coordinating the group’s activities in the region. He was believed to be closely associated with Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. He played a role in strengthening the outfit’s network in northwestern Pakistan. His influence made him a significant figure within the terror outfit’s regional structure.

Investigators were examining the circumstances surrounding his death, but the identity of the attackers and their motive remain unclear.

Rising Pattern Of Targeted Killings

Afridi’s killing is the latest in a series of attacks against high-profile terrorists in Pakistan. Last month, Amir Hamza survived a shooting outside a TV station in Lahore. Earlier, Muhammad Tahir Anwar, brother of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar, died under mysterious circumstances.

In another incident, Abu Qatal, also known as Qatal Sindhi, was killed by unknown gunmen in Pakistan. He was considered a close aide of Hafiz Saeed and was linked to multiple terror activities, including the 2024 Reasi attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed nine lives and left 33 others injured.

Officials note that such assassinations have increased since 2023, with dozens of terrorists linked to groups like LeT and Hizbul Mujahideen targeted across cities such as Karachi and Lahore. In 2026 alone, at least 30 such figures were targeted by unknown gunmen.

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