2023 rajouri attack

Abu Qatal, a prominent Lashkar-e-Taiba operative, also known as Faisal Nadeem, was killed by unidentified assailants in Jhelum Sindh, Pakistan. He was a significant target for Indian security agencies due to his involvement in major terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Rajouri and Reasi attacks.

In the ongoing anti-terrorism operation in J&K’s Rajouri district, a Lance Naik from 9 Para (Special Forces) died, bringing the total security casualties to five. The operation led to the killing of two terrorists, including a high-ranking Pakistani commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The fallen soldiers are Captain MV Pranjal, Captain Shubham Gupta, Havildar Abdul Majid, Lance Naik Sanjay Bisht, and paratrooper Sachin Laur. The two frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch in the Jammu region were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago, but have recorded 35 fatalities since October 2021.

Centre on Thursday designated Mohammad Qasim Gujjar, a top Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) terror handler based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and one of the masterminds behind the January 2023 twin attacks in Rajouri’s Dhangri village that left seven civilians dead, as a “terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. Shah warned that “anyone found involved in activities against the unity and integrity of the nation will be dealt with ruthlessly”.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed chargesheets against five accused, including three handlers of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) based in Pakistan. The attacks, which took place on January 1 and 2, 2023, resulted in the death of seven villagers, including two children, from a specific community. One of the children died due to an improvised explosive device (IED) left behind by the attackers.

Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Abu Qatal was gunned down in Jhelum, Pakistan, by unidentified assailants. Qatal, a close aide of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, was returning from a meeting with a Pakistan Army commander. The attack is believed to be due to infighting within LeT ranks. Qatal was involved in several terror activities, including attacks in J&K.

At least four villagers died of gunshots and nine more were gravely wounded after terrorists drove an SUV on Sunday evening into the mountainside village of Upper Dhangri, about 10km south of Rajouri in Jammu division of J&K, and fired indiscriminately at a cluster of three houses of Hindu residents standing 50 metres apart, near a Ram temple.

Security forces continue massive cordon cum search operation to track down terrorists in Reasi. Nine dead, 33 injured in bus attack. NIA team assesses ground situation. FSL collects evidences.

Banned terrorist group PAFF, linked to JeM, claimed the IED attack near LoC in Jammu's Akhnoor, resulting in the deaths of Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh. Increasing cross-border firing by Pakistani soldiers has heightened tensions, prompting security forces to intensify border alerts and searches.

A special NIA court in Jammu has charged Nisar Ahmed and Mushtaq Hussain for aiding the 2023 Dhangri massacre perpetrators. Accused of providing shelter, food, and guidance to terrorists linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, they face charges under IPC, UAPA, and Juvenile Justice Act. Both pleaded not guilty and sought trial after being accused of facilitating the attack that killed five villagers.

Pakistani soldiers violated the ceasefire by firing in J&K's Poonch district, aiming to push terrorists into India. The Indian border guards responded effectively with equal force, and there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from the Indian side. Recent incidents indicate increasing infiltration attempts and hostilities along the LoC.