RNS: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative Abu Qatal, nephew of 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed, was killed in a targeted attack in Pakistan’s Jhelum district.
Known for orchestrating terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Qatal, whose real name is Zia-ur-Rehman, was shot dead around 7 pm while traveling with a security guard. Sources say the attackers fired 15 to 20 rounds, killing Qatal and his guard instantly. Another security guard was critically injured.
Qatal was heavily protected by both LeT militants and Pakistani military personnel. The attack occurred near Dina Punjab University.
Qatal, appointed as LeT’s Chief Operational Commander by Saeed, had been involved in several attacks, including the June 9 strike on a bus in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district that killed ten people.
He was also named in the NIA’s chargesheet for his role in the 2023 Rajouri attacks, which killed seven people.
