Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 16: The assassination of Faisal Nadeem, also known as Abu Qatal, in Pakistan’s Jhelum has raised serious questions about the targeted elimination of Kashmiri militants within the country. Initial reports suggested that Qatal was the nephew of Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD). However, insider accounts now indicate that while he was a senior LeT member, he had no direct familial connection to Saeed.

According to sources, Qatal was ambushed by unidentified attackers, leading to his death along with his security guard, while his driver was critically injured and rushed to the hospital.

Further investigations have dispelled claims of his Punjab or Kashmir origins, revealing that he hailed from Sindh and was stationed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for organizational activities. Qatal had previously been imprisoned in Indian-administered Kashmir before returning to Pakistan.

His killing is considered highly significant, as he was among India’s most wanted terrorists for his alleged role in the 2023 Rajouri attack and the 2024 Reasi bus attack. Following his assassination, reports indicate that raids were conducted in multiple provinces throughout the night in response to the incident.

This marks the third high-profile killing within the Sajid Jutt Network (SJN) of LeT, following the eliminations of Hanzallah Adnan in Karachi and Qasim Kashmiri in Rawalakot. Intelligence sources suggest that remaining operatives from the network have gone into hiding, fearing further strikes.

Pakistan has previously accused India of orchestrating targeted killings of Kashmiri militants on its soil, alleging the use of local and Afghan mercenaries to eliminate individuals on its hit list. While Islamabad has yet to officially comment on Qatal’s death, the incident has fueled speculation about an ongoing covert operation targeting senior LeT operatives in Pakistan.