New Delhi: Abu Qatal, a senior commander of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jhelum, Sindh, on Saturday night. Also known as Qatal Sindhi, he was a key figure in orchestrating multiple attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
Qatal was a close associate of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, and played a significant role in LeT’s operations. According to India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), he had infiltrated India in 2002-03 and was active in the Poonch-Rajouri region, directing terror activities.
His killing marks a major setback for LeT, though security analysts caution that the terror outfit has a history of adapting to leadership losses. The circumstances surrounding his assassination remain unclear, with speculation over whether it was an internal rivalry or an intelligence-led operation.
Proxy Terror Networks and Links to Attacks
Beyond his involvement in LeT, Qatal was instrumental in establishing proxy terror groups, including the People’s Anti-Fascist Force (PAFF) and The Resistance Front (TRF). These organizations were created to obscure the footprints of larger outfits such as LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed, both of which have been active in Jammu and Kashmir since 2019.
Qatal is also believed to have played a pivotal role in the June 9 attack on a bus carrying pilgrims returning from the Shiv Khori temple in Reasi, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack resulted in the deaths of nine people, including seven pilgrims from outside the region, while 41 others were injured when terrorists opened fire on the vehicle.
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The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) designated PAFF as a terrorist organization on January 7, 2023, due to its involvement in multiple attacks against security forces and civilians in Jammu and Kashmir.
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Regional Security Implications
Qatal’s elimination could disrupt LeT’s command structure, but security agencies remain wary of retaliation or a reorganization within the group’s ranks. Counterterrorism forces are closely monitoring developments to assess the potential impact on Pakistan-based terror networks and their activities in the region.
