Zia-ur-Rehman, commonly known by his alias Qatal, was a high-ranking operative of the notorious terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and a close confidant of Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind behind the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Qatal played a significant role in orchestrating numerous terrorist operations in the Jammu & Kashmir region, including the deadly June 9 ambush on a bus carrying Hindu pilgrims returning from the revered Shiv Khori temple in Reasi.
According to intelligence sources, the attack that led to Qatal’s death took place at approximately 7 PM in the Jhelum area of Pakistan, near the Zeenat Hotel, which is close to Dina Punjab University. Reports indicate that Qatal was traveling with his security detail when a group of “unidentified gunmen” launched a surprise assault on his convoy. The assailants fired between 15 and 20 rounds in rapid succession, ensuring minimal chances of escape for their target. As a result, Qatal was killed instantly, along with one of his security guards, while another guard was critically wounded in the attack.
Despite being under heavy protection provided by the Pakistan Army, which had deployed a combination of Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives and undercover military personnel for his security, Qatal was successfully neutralized in what appears to be a meticulously planned and executed operation. The precision of the strike, as well as the attackers’ ability to bypass the extensive security arrangements, suggests that the assassination was carried out by highly trained professionals with access to accurate intelligence regarding Qatal’s movements.
Following the incident, former Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu & Kashmir, Sheesh Paul Vaid, took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to express his reaction. His post, which read “Well done, boys,” hinted at the possible involvement of Indian security agencies or allied operatives in the strike, although no official claim of responsibility has been made as of yet.
Qatal had been a key figure in Lashkar-e-Taiba’s terror operations, having been personally appointed as the organization’s chief operational commander by Hafiz Saeed himself. In this capacity, he was instrumental in planning and executing high-profile terrorist attacks across the region, particularly targeting Indian security forces and civilians.
His name had also surfaced in the National Investigation Agency’s (NIA) chargesheet related to the 2023 Rajouri attack, which led to the tragic deaths of seven innocent civilians. His role in that attack further cemented his reputation as a dangerous militant with deep ties to the leadership of Lashkar-e-Taiba and other extremist elements operating in the region.
Following his assassination, authorities have launched an investigation into the possible motives behind the targeted killing. Officials are working to determine the identity of the attackers and whether the operation was internally orchestrated as part of an inter-group rivalry or carried out by external forces aiming to eliminate a high-value terrorist target.
While no group has officially claimed responsibility for Qatal’s assassination, intelligence analysts speculate that the precision and effectiveness of the attack indicate the involvement of a highly skilled entity with a strategic interest in dismantling Lashkar-e-Taiba’s leadership. The incident has sent shockwaves through the ranks of the terror outfit, raising questions about vulnerabilities within their security networks and highlighting the possibility of future eliminations of key figures within the organization.
As investigations continue, the incident underscores the shifting dynamics in the region’s counter-terrorism landscape and signals a significant blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s operational capabilities.