Central intelligence agencies have reported that Abu Qatal, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operative involved in several deadly terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, was allegedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Saturday night in Pakistan’s Jhelum district, located in Punjab province.
Abu Qatal, also known as Faisal Nadeem or Qatal Sindhi, was a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the Mumbai terror attacks. He was known for his significant operations in the Poonch and Rajouri regions of Jammu and Kashmir.
According to officials, Qatal was ambushed while traveling with his security team. Reports suggest that one of his security personnel was also killed during the attack. Authorities in Pakistan have launched a search operation to locate the attackers.
Abu Qatal was named in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) chargesheet for his role in the January 2023 Rajouri twin attacks, which left seven people dead, including two children. The attacks included a militant firing incident on January 1 that killed five civilians and an IED blast the next morning that claimed two more lives and injured 14 others.
His name also surfaced alongside two other Pakistan-based militants—Saifullah alias Sajid Jutt and Mohammad Qasim—as key planners of these attacks. The NIA identified him as one of the handlers responsible for recruiting militants and orchestrating cross-border infiltration.
Qatal’s involvement extended beyond Rajouri. He was linked to several other high-profile attacks, including the April 2023 ambush in Poonch that killed five soldiers and a similar attack in May 2023 in Rajouri’s Kandi area. Additionally, he masterminded the June 2024 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims near Shiv Khori in Reasi district, which resulted in nine deaths and 40 injuries.
As one of Hafiz Saeed’s most trusted operatives, Abu Qatal played a critical role within Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was instrumental in planning terror strikes, recruiting new militants, and coordinating cross-border infiltration from Pakistan into India. His network of over-ground workers (OGWs) in Poonch and Rajouri helped facilitate these activities.
Sources reveal that Qatal had been working to revive old contacts in Jammu and Kashmir to strengthen recruitment efforts for militant groups. He also oversaw arms training for new recruits and managed logistics for terror operations targeting civilians and security forces.
The killing of Abu Qatal marks a significant blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations. Despite being under heavy security provided by Pakistani authorities, his assassination highlights vulnerabilities within the group’s leadership structure. However, analysts caution that Lashkar may attempt to regroup and continue its activities despite this setback.
Qatal’s death underscores the ongoing challenges posed by cross-border terrorism and the need for continued vigilance against such threats.
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