Islamabad, March 17, 2025 – Prominent religious scholar Mufti Abdul Baki Nurai was assassinated by unknown gunmen near Pakistan’s international airport. Nurai sustained critical injuries in the attack and later succumbed at a local hospital. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailants fled the scene immediately after the attack.
The assassination of Mufti Nurai comes just a day after another well-known religious scholar, Mufti Mish Shakir, was killed in a bomb blast in Peshawar. So far, no group has claimed responsibility for either attack. However, speculations are growing that Pakistan's military and intelligence agencies may be involved in eliminating figures once associated with radicalization efforts.

Pattern of Targeted Killings

Experts suggest that these assassinations align with a broader pattern of attacks on radical clerics and individuals linked to extremist networks. Over the past three years, Pakistan has witnessed more than 50 similar killings of religious figures and militant leaders, often carried out by unidentified gunmen.

Security analysts believe that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may be orchestrating these eliminations as part of a strategy to eliminate figures who were once useful in radicalization but have now become liabilities. The approach is seen as a means of managing Pakistan's shifting internal security dynamics while projecting a crackdown on extremism to the international community.

Escalating Violence and Unanswered Questions

Recent incidents suggest a shift in Pakistan’s security landscape, where figures once considered untouchable are now being systematically eliminated. Just days ago, a close associate of a prominent militant leader was also gunned down in the Balochistan region. Despite numerous such killings, Pakistani authorities have yet to conduct meaningful investigations or identify the perpetrators.

The trend also raises concerns over Pakistan's internal stability. For years, militant groups and radical clerics operated with impunity, often with state backing. However, the current wave of assassinations indicates a shift in strategy, possibly aimed at dismantling networks that have outlived their utility.

International Perspective

Indian officials have long accused Pakistan of harboring and supporting extremist groups. In a recent statement, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated that Pakistan has been a hub of state-sponsored terrorism and must be held accountable for its actions.

The killings also echo a warning once given by former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who stated that nurturing terrorism is akin to “rearing snakes in your backyard” – a danger that can ultimately turn against its own creators.

Uncertain Future

With no claims of responsibility and no clear leads, these assassinations deepen Pakistan’s internal crisis. Whether this is part of a state-sanctioned purge or the result of internal militant rivalries remains uncertain. However, one thing is clear – Pakistan, once a safe haven for radical clerics and militants, is becoming increasingly perilous for them.

As investigations unfold, the fate of other influential figures remains in question, and Pakistan’s security forces will likely face growing pressure to either contain or clarify the unfolding crisis.