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Lashkar-e-Taiba’s top terrorist, Abu Qatal, was shot dead in Pakistan on Saturday night. Unknown attackers ambushed him while he was traveling with his security guard in the Jhelum area. The assailants fired 15 to 20 rounds, killing both Qatal and his guard on the spot.
Who Was Abu Qatal?
Abu Qatal, whose real name was Zia-ur-Rehman, was a key operative of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was a close aide of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Over the years, Qatal played a major role in planning terrorist attacks in India, especially in Jammu and Kashmir.
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A Notorious Planner of Terror Attacks
Qatal was the main handler of LeT operatives in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch-Rajouri region. Qatal worked alongside Saifullah Sajid Jutt to coordinate terror activities. He controlled the Khuiratta Dett of LeT in Kotli district, located in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK).
Qatal was also responsible for recruiting and sending terrorists across the border. He helped create proxy terror outfits like the People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF) and The Resistance Force (TRF). These groups allowed LeT to operate while avoiding direct blame.
Mastermind of Deadly Attacks
Abu Qatal was behind several major terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. His most recent attack was on June 9, 2024, in Reasi district. Terrorists, under his command, attacked a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple. The attack killed nine people, including seven pilgrims, and injured 41 others.
He was also named in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) charge sheet for the 2023 Rajouri attacks. On January 1, 2023, terrorists targeted civilians in Dhangri village. The next day, an IED blast killed seven people, including two children. Investigators found that Qatal helped plan and coordinate the attack from across the border.
Years of Terror and Infiltration
Qatal infiltrated Jammu in the early 2000s and stayed until 2005 before escaping back to Pakistan. He continued managing terror activities from there, ensuring a steady flow of recruits and weapons into India. His network included fellow LeT operatives like Sajid Jutt and Qasim, who also worked on infiltrating terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir.
A Major Blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba
Security agencies had been tracking Qatal for years due to his involvement in multiple attacks. His death is a major setback for Lashkar-e-Taiba. His elimination will disrupt their chain of command and weaken their operational structure.
Authorities believe that his death could lead to internal conflicts within LeT. His close links with Pakistan’s security agencies and terror networks made him a key figure. With his death, Lashkar may struggle to fill the leadership vacuum.
Who Killed Abu Qatal?
The identity of the attackers remains unknown. Some experts believe internal rivalries within Lashkar-e-Taiba may have led to his assassination. Others suggest that Indian intelligence agencies may have played a role in targeting one of India’s most wanted terrorists.
Regardless of who was behind the attack, Qatal’s death marks a significant victory in the fight against terrorism. His killing sends a strong message to terror groups operating in the region.
Security experts predict that Lashkar-e-Taiba may try to retaliate. Authorities in India remain on high alert, monitoring potential threats. Meanwhile, investigations continue to uncover more details about the circumstances of Abu Qatal’s assassination.
The elimination of a high-profile terrorist like Qatal weakens terror networks. However, the fight against terrorism remains ongoing, as groups like LeT continue to pose a threat to regional stability.