NEW DELHI: Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Qatal aka Qatal Sindhi, was gunned down by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Jhelum Sindh on Saturday night. One of the closest confidantes of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, Qatal was the chief operational commander of the terror outfit, notorious for masterminding multiple attacks in J&K.
Qatal was wanted by Indian law enforcement after his role in last year’s attack on a pilgrims’ bus returning from a temple in Reasi surfaced.
Qatal was brain behind Jan ’23 Rajouri attack that killed 7
Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Qatal aka Qatal Sindhi enjoyed heavy security cover comprising the Pakistan army and operatives of LeT.
On Saturday, Qatal and Saeed were returning after meeting the Mangla Corps commander of Pakistan army when the gunmen struck. “They were ambushed near Zeenat Hotel, close to Dina Punjab University in the Jhelum area around 7 pm. Saeed’s vehicle narrowly escaped the attack. The assailants opened fire, killing Qatal and one of his henchman on the spot, while another guard was critically injured and succumbed to injuries later,” a source said.
Pakistan’s law enforcement termed the deaths a “targeted killing”. Sources said the killing was the result of infighting in Lashkar ranks. The shooting ends the pause in mysterious killings of terrorists in Pakistan who were high on India’s ‘persons of interest’ list.
Qatal was born Zia-ur-Rehman but rode high on the notoriety chart as Qatal Sindhi, the operational ID assigned to him because of his involvement in terror activities dating back to 2002 03. Of late, the notorious terrorist was operating through proxy outfits like People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF) and The Resistant Force (TRF) — the choice of nomenclature a shrewd camouflage for the jihadi outfit and aimed at currying favour with international human rights groups.
National Investigation Agency (NIA) has also implicated Qatal, along with four other Lashkar operatives, in its chargesheet on the Rajouri terror attack case. On Jan 1, 2023, terrorists had launched a devastating assault on Dhangri village in Rajouri, killing seven people.
“He, along with Saifullah Sajid Jutt, was the main handler of LeT terrorists operating in Poonch-Rajouri region. Qatal was also in charge of Khuiratta camp of LeT, located in Kotli district of Pakistan-occupied J&K,” an official said.
As the main link between LeT cadres and operators in PoJK and Sindh province, Qatal played a crucial role in coordinating terror activities. He was also the most trusted handler of Saeed, who often relied on Qatal to maintain control over LeT detachments in PoJK, the source said.
Qatal’s associates, Riyaz Ahmed and Hanzla Adnan, were killed in separate incidents in Pakistan in Sept and Dec 2023 respectively.
Qatal had infiltrated the Jammu region in the early 2000s and had established a wide network of overground workers in Poonch and Rajouri through his old contacts. His role in various terror incidents was clearly established in investigations conducted by NIA.
Saeed’s aide was also the mastermind of the Reasi bus attack on June 9, 2024, which killed nine pilgrims and injured 41. The bus, travelling from Shiv Khori temple to Katra, was ambushed with a barrage of gunfire, causing it to veer off the road and plummet into a deep gorge near Teryath village in Reasi’s Pouni area. This brazen attack was orchestrated under the leadership of Qatal.
He was also involved in Bhatta-Durian terror incident, which resulted in the killing of five Army personnel, and the Kandi attack on officers and personnel of 9-Para Special Forces. His killing is significant, given his role in planning and executing terror attacks. Though it may disrupt Lashkar’s operations, the group is adept at adapting and has often overcome setbacks.
Abu Qatal enjoyed heavy security cover comprising Pak army
He enjoyed heavy security cover comprising the Pakistan army and operatives of LeT. On Saturday evening, Qatal and Saeed were returning after meeting the Mangla Corps commander of Pakistan army when the gunmen struck. “They were ambushed near Zeenat Hotel, close to Dina Punjab University in the Jhelum area around 7pm. Saeed’s vehicle narrowly escaped the attack. The assailants opened fire, killing Qatal and one of his henchmen on the spot, while another guard was critically injured and succumbed to injuries later,” a source said.
Pakistan’s law enforcement termed the deaths a “targeted killing”. Sources here said the killing was the result of infighting in Lashkar ranks. The shooting ends the pause in mysterious killings of terrorists in Pakistan who were high on India’s ‘persons of interest’ list.
Qatal was born Zia-ur-Rehman but rode high on the notoriety chart as Qatal Sindhi, the operational ID assigned to him because of his involvement in terror activities dating back to 2002-03. Of late, the notorious terrorist was operating through proxy outfits like People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF) and The Resistant Force (TRF).
NIA has also implicated Qatal, along with four other Lashkar operatives, in its chargesheet on the Rajouri terror attack case. On Jan 1, 2023, terrorists had launched a devastating assault on Dhangri village in Rajouri, killing seven people. “He, along with Saifullah Sajid Jutt, was the main handler of LeT terrorists operating in the Poonch-Rajouri region. Qatal was also in charge of the Khuiratta camp of LeT, located in Kotli district of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” an official said.
As the main link between LeT cadres and operators in PoJK and Sindh province, Qatal played a crucial role in coordinating terror activities. He was also the most trusted handler of Saeed, who often relied on Qatal to maintain control over LeT detachments in PoJK, the source said.