LeT operative Abu Qatal, a close aide of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was shot dead in Pakistan on Saturday. Qatal was said to be the mastermind behind the 2023 Rajouri attack and the massacre on a bus carrying pilgrims in Kashmir's Raesi.
Abu Qatal, real name Faisal Nadeem, was a key Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and a high-priority target for Indian security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and the Indian Army. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) also named Abu Qatal in its chargesheet for his involvement in the 2023 Rajouri attack.
Qatal is said to have masterminded the Rajouri attack that occurred on January 1st and January 2 2023 in the Dangri village of the Rajouri district. While four people died and nine others were injured in the first attack, an IED exploded near the same attack site on the second day, resulting in the death of two children and injury to five others.
The LeT operative was also charge-sheeted by the NIA in the Raesi bus attack that shook the nation. According to probe officials, the brutal assault was carried out under his leadership just after the new government took over. After the Reasi attack, the terrorists were provided food, shelter and other types of logistical support for about three months by Qatal.
The NIA details in its chargesheet that Qatal and his associates had planned and carried out operations to destabilize Kashmir. Not only did they train and aid in infiltrating terrorists into Jammu and Kashmir, but they also organised targeted attacks on civilians.
Who shot Abu Qatal?
Abu Qatal was reportedly shot in Jhelum in Pakistan on Saturday evening by an unidentified person. As per reports, the incident happened near Dina Punjab University in Jhelum area. The convoy of terrorist gang was passing near Zeenat Hotel when unknown attackers sprayed 20 bullets at Abu Qatal. He was reportedly under tight security from both ununiformed Pakistani army personnel and Lashkar terrorists. But, none of them could do anything as an unidentified gunman went on a rampage.
There are speculations that Hafiz Saeed was him but fled after the attack. Abu Qatal's death is the latest in the series of killings in Pakistan where terrorists are gunned down by unidentified men.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India, without evidence, of carrying out extrajudicial killings in the country, a charge denied by Indian officials.