Who was Abu Qatal? Lashkar-e-Taiba’s most wanted terrorist linked to deadly attacks in India killed in Pakistan

Abu Qatal, Lashkar-e-Taiba's most wanted terrorist, was reportedly killed in Pakistan. According to News 18, an "unknown" attacker killed Abu Qatal in the Dina area of ​​​​Jhelum district in Punjab province of Pakistan.

However, Mint could not independently verify the reports.

Qatal was believed to be the mastermind of the January 2023 Rajouri attack. It involved the "heinous terror attack on civilians at village Dhangri, District Rajouri on 1st January 2023, followed by an IED blast the next day." Seven innocent people, including two children, were killed and several others severely injured in the attacks.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had in February 2024 filed a chargesheet against five people, including three Pakistan-based handlers of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit, in connection with January 2023 Rajouri attacks. Abu Qatal was one of them.

"Three of chargesheeted individuals are LeT handlers, identified as Saifullah @ Sajid Jutt @ Ali @ Habibullah @ Numan @Langda @ Noumi, Mohd Qasim, and Abu Qatal @ Qatal Sindhi," the NIA had said.

Who was Abu Qatal

According to NIA, Abu Qatal was a Pakistani national. The agency said Abu Qatal had come to India in 2002-03 and was active in the Poonch-Rajouri range, along with other terrorists.

Investigations have revealed that the other charge-sheeted accused, Nisar, had come in contact with Abu Qatal during the latter's stay in India. He had remained in touch with Abu Qatal even after the latter's return to Pakistan.

Meanwhile, India Today reported that Qatal was a close associate of 26/11 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed. He had also played a pivotal role in the June 9 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.

It was Hafiz Saeed who appointed Abu Qatal as Lashkar's Chief Operational Commander, the report added. Hafiz Saeed used to give orders to Abu Qatal, who then executed major attacks in Kashmir.