Abu Qatal, a senior member of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been killed in Pakistan.
Qatal, responsible for several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, worked closely with Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
As LeT’s Chief Operational Commander under Saeed’s leadership, Qatal played a key role in executing significant operations in Kashmir. His death is a major blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operations.
Terrorist attacks involving Qatal
Qatal participated in multiple attacks, including the June 9, 2023 assault on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi district, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack killed nine people and injured 41 others.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also named him in its chargesheet for his involvement in the deadly Rajouri attack on January 1, 2023.
Details from the chargesheet
The NIA charged five individuals in the Rajouri attack case, including three LeT handlers based in Pakistan. They had recruited and sent terrorists from Pakistan to target civilians, especially those from minority communities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Qatal was a key mastermind behind this operation.
His influence extended beyond direct attacks. He also helped establish proxy terror groups such as the People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF) and The Resistance Force (TRF).
Surveillance and monitoring
Security agencies monitored Qatal due to his involvement in several attacks. He was part of a coordinated network with other Lashkar operatives, such as Sajid Jutt and Qasim, who planned attacks in India.
Qatal and Jutt were both Pakistani nationals, while Qasim infiltrated Pakistan in 2002 and later joined LeT.
The trio played a crucial role in infiltrating terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, following orders from their handlers across the border.
