Is Pakistan's ISI Collaborating with Hamas? Insights from the Pahalgam Terror Investigation

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is probing the Pahalgam terror attack for potential connections to Hamas and Pakistan-based terrorist organizations. Investigators are examining links between Lashkar-e-Taiba and Hamas, as well as operational similarities in attack methods. Intelligence agencies have previously flagged interactions between Hamas leaders and Pakistan-based terror groups, raising concerns about a possible collaboration that could pose a significant challenge to Indian security forces. As the investigation unfolds, the implications of these connections could reshape the landscape of terrorism in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 3, 2026, 15:16 IST

Investigating Links Between Terror Groups

New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is delving into the Pahalgam terror attack and is set to explore potential connections between Pakistan-backed terrorist groups and the Palestinian militant organization Hamas.

The investigation will focus on whether the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and The Resistance Front, both based in Pakistan, have any operational, financial, or ideological ties with Hamas. Additionally, the NIA aims to investigate any possible connections between the attackers and Al-Qaeda as part of its broader inquiry.

Indian intelligence agencies have previously raised concerns about the presence of several Hamas leaders in Pakistan. Reports indicate that these individuals have been seen engaging with members of various Pakistan-based terror organizations, including LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), and are believed to have attended multiple meetings with their leaders.

An official stated that the NIA is scrutinizing a critical aspect of the Pahalgam attack investigation. Indian security agencies have consistently pointed out attempts by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to establish links between local terror groups and globally active extremist organizations.

"If such connections are confirmed, it would suggest that Pakistan-backed terror networks are attempting to involve internationally recognized extremist groups in their operations against India," the official remarked.

Prior to the Pahalgam attack, intelligence agencies had noted the presence of several Hamas leaders in Pakistan. Officials indicated that the interactions between these figures and members of Pakistan-based terror groups seemed to extend beyond mere ideological discussions, encompassing operational matters as well.

Another official highlighted that organizations like Hamas and Al-Qaeda possess significantly greater operational capabilities compared to Pakistan-based groups such as LeT and JeM. Hamas has been engaged in a prolonged conflict with Israel, making it a battle-hardened entity. Unlike many Pakistan-backed groups that have primarily conducted sporadic attacks, Hamas has gained extensive combat experience through continuous warfare, enhancing its tactical proficiency and operational effectiveness.

"In contrast, groups like Jaish and Lashkar have concentrated on specific attacks, mainly in Jammu and Kashmir, without engaging in a sustained conflict like Hamas," the official noted.

An Intelligence Bureau official remarked that the plan to involve international players signals a significant strategy being devised by the ISI. "It aims for its terror proxies to execute attacks on India at a scale comparable to Hamas's operations against Israel," the official stated.

Should the ISI succeed in uniting Hamas with LeT and JeM, Indian security agencies could face a far more formidable challenge. India has considerable experience in countering the tactics and attack patterns typically employed by Lashkar and Jaish. However, if these groups begin to adopt the strategies used by Hamas, security forces may encounter a new and more complex form of warfare that could be challenging to counter initially.

Officials assert that the ISI's strategy is to keep Indian security forces perpetually engaged through sustained attacks by terror groups. This indicates that Pakistan prefers not to engage its army in direct conflict, as it could lead to international escalation.

"However, when tasked with this battle, the dynamics and optics would change," an official commented.

Following the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has been exploring options to continuously undermine India. Operation Sindoor demonstrated that Lashkar and Jaish struggled to manage a significant conflict, suffering substantial losses during the operation.

Officials caution that the ISI has been actively seeking international players to train its terror proxies. Reports indicate that meetings occurred prior to the Pahalgam attack, and at least four meetings between LeT, JeM, and Hamas have taken place in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan since then.

Intelligence agencies discovered that three months before the Pahalgam attack, Hamas leaders were spotted at a public rally in Pakistan alongside JeM and LeT leaders.

An official mentioned that, in addition to investigating potential links, the NIA is also analyzing the operational similarities between Hamas's attack methods and the execution of the Pahalgam attack by the terrorists. Initial assessments have revealed parallels in planning, coordination, and execution, which are expected to play a crucial role in the NIA's investigation.