Who killed Abu Qatal, Hafiz Saeed aid and LeT terrorist, in Pakistan?

Lashkar terrorist Abu Qatal was reportedly killed in Pakistan. Qatal is said to be a close aide of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed and commander of the Khureta launchpad in PoK.

However, Mint could not independently verify the reports.

Zia-ur-Rehman, alias Abu Qatal, was behind the 2023 Rajouri attack that killed seven people. He also played a key role in the June 9 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori temple in Reasi. As many as 10 people were killed in the attack.

Abu Qatal was among the terrorists charge-sheeted by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in February 2024.

Who killed Abu Qatal?

Abu Qatal was killed by unknown assailants, India Today reported on Sunday. Qatal was under heavy protection from the Pakistan Army, with both Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists and plainclothes Pakistani military personnel assigned to his security, India Today reported.

Sources told India Today that Abu Qatal was travelling with his security guard in the Jhelum area around 7 pm when unknown attackers opened fire.

The assailants fired 15 to 20 rounds, killing Abu Qatal and one of his security guards on the spot. Another guard was critically injured.

As per the report, the attack took place near Zeenat Hotel, close to Dina Punjab University in the Jhelum area.

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.

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