LeT Terrorist Abu Qatal Shot Dead in Pakistan; Reports of Hafiz Saeed’s Death Denied
New Delhi, 16th March 2025: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)’s most wanted terrorist Abu Qatal was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Punjab district on Saturday night. The attackers, reportedly riding motorcycles, opened fire on Qatal and his associate, killing them on the spot.
Qatal’s Ties to 26/11 Mastermind Hafiz Saeed
Abu Qatal was a close aide of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. A key member of LeT, Qatal was involved in planning multiple terror strikes in Jammu and Kashmir and was on the radar of Indian intelligence agencies.
He played a crucial role in orchestrating the June 9, 2024, attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from Shivkhodi temple in Jammu’s Reasi district, which claimed 10 lives and left 33 others injured.
Rumors of Hafiz Saeed’s Death Circulate Online
Following Qatal’s assassination, several social media users claimed that Hafiz Saeed was also in the car targeted in the attack and later succumbed to injuries. The unverified reports suggested that Saeed was traveling with Qatal through the Jhelum area when assailants on motorcycles fired at their vehicle. However, these claims have been denied by sources.
Qatal’s Role in Previous Terror Attacks
Abu Qatal’s name had surfaced in multiple terror investigations, including the 2023 Rajouri attack, where terrorists targeted civilians in Dhangri village of Rajouri district on January 1, 2023. The following day, an IED blast killed seven people, including two children.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had filed a chargesheet against Qatal and four others in connection with the Rajouri attack. Along with Qatal, the other accused named were:
- Saifullah alias Sajid Jatt, a Pakistani national known by multiple aliases including Ali, Habibullah, and Noman.
- Mohammad Qasim, an Indian who crossed over to Pakistan in 2002 and joined LeT.
The NIA’s investigation revealed that the trio was responsible for recruiting Pakistani terrorists for Lashkar-e-Taiba and deploying them for attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
India Watches Developments Closely
Abu Qatal’s elimination is seen as a major blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba, though security experts believe the organization will continue its operations. Indian agencies are closely monitoring the situation in Pakistan, especially regarding Hafiz Saeed’s rumored involvement in the attack.
