ISLAMABAD: In a disturbing development raising concerns over transnationalthreats to political critics, United Kingdom authorities are investigatinga series of targeted attacks on former Pakistani accountability adviserMirza Shahzad Akbar and YouTuber Major (retd) Adil Raja, believing theincidents were coordinated and meticulously planned. The assaults occurredaround Christmas Eve in late December 2025, with Akbar physically assaultedat his Cambridge residence and Raja’s Chesham home subjected to a burglaryattempt, prompting involvement from Counter Terrorism Policing London dueto their highly targeted nature and geographical proximity despite the60-mile distance between locations.
The initial assault on Akbar took place at approximately 8:08 am onDecember 24, when an unknown assailant approached his door, confirmed hisidentity by asking if he was Shahzad Akbar, and then proceeded to attackhim, resulting in facial injuries including a fractured nose. Crediblereports indicate this was followed by another incident at his property onDecember 31, involving suspects breaking a window and attempting to throw aburning rag inside, escalating fears of intent to cause serious harm orarson. Akbar, a former key figure in Imran Khan’s government who has beenin self-imposed exile in the UK since 2022, described the attacks asdeliberate and cowardly, vowing not to be intimidated in his criticism ofcorruption and democratic erosion in Pakistan.
Simultaneously, on the same morning of December 24, two men in darkclothing broke into Adil Raja’s home in Chesham while it was unoccupied,ransacking the property in what police treat as a targeted operation ratherthan random crime. Raja, a former Pakistan Army major turned vocal onlinecritic, has faced ongoing threats linked to his exposés on military andgovernment matters. The parallel timing and similar profiles of the victimshave led investigators to explore connections, with no immediate arrestsreported initially but ongoing probes emphasizing no wider public threatexists while safety advice is provided to those affected.
Further developments emerged when UK authorities charged three men—KarlBlackbird, Clark McAulay, and Doneto Brammer—in connection with theseviolent incidents. Blackbird and McAulay face charges of conspiracy toassault and cause bodily harm related to the Chesham break-in at Raja’sresidence, while Brammer is accused of multiple offenses tied to theCambridge events at Akbar’s home, including possession of a prohibitedweapon and conspiracy to commit arson with intent to endanger life. Thesecharges underscore the seriousness with which British counter-terrorismunits view the matters, treating them as organized efforts rather thanisolated crimes.
Investigative sources reveal that the attacks were planned and coordinatedthrough a social media chat group operated by two individuals, highlightingthe use of digital platforms for organizing such operations. Thisrevelation adds a layer of sophistication to the incidents, suggestingpremeditation and group involvement beyond lone actors. The chat groupcoordination has intensified scrutiny into potential motivations, amidbroader patterns of alleged transnational repression targeting Pakistanidissidents abroad who criticize the military establishment or governmentpolicies.
These events coincide with heightened tensions, including Pakistan’spursuit of extradition for both Akbar and Raja from the UK. In December2025, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi handed over extradition documentsduring a meeting with the British High Commissioner, citing cases againstthem for alleged anti-state activities and fake news dissemination. Ananti-terrorism court in Islamabad had earlier awarded double life sentencesin absentia to Raja and several journalists for so-called digital terrorismlinked to online support for Imran Khan. Akbar, once NAB’s accountabilityczar handling high-profile cases, has also reported prior threats,including an acid attack in November 2023 on his Hertfordshire home.
Read Top Stories
The coordinated nature of the assaults has sparked discussions on thesafety of political exiles in democratic countries like the UK, wherefreedom of expression is protected but incidents suggest external pressuresmay be at play. Akbar has urged British authorities to uphold rule of lawand protect dissidents from persecution, emphasizing that violence will notsilence his advocacy. Similarly, Raja has highlighted patterns ofintimidation against critics of Pakistan’s military leadership, includingfigures like Moeed Pirzada facing similar overseas incidents around thesame period.
As investigations continue under Counter Terrorism Policing London, thecase draws attention to the intersection of international politics, digitalcoordination, and physical security threats. No conclusive links to stateactors have been publicly confirmed by UK police, who maintain an open mindon motivations while assuring focused inquiries. The incidents underscoregrowing concerns about the export of repression tactics beyond borders inan era of globalized dissent and online activism.
ogimageimage-name