Claims are spreading that Hafiz Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, has been shot dead in Pakistan. However, there is no credible evidence to confirm this. Recent reports indicate that Abu Qatal, a senior LeT operative and close aide of Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Jhelum Sindh region on Saturday night.
Making a post on X (Formerly Twitter), @Jacobmathewlive wrote, “India’s most wanted #terrorist & #Mumbaiattack #mastermind #HafizSaeed has been attacked by unknown #gunmen. It is being said that Hafiz Saeed has died in the attack. There are reports of his nephew’s #AbuQatal death as well. The attack took place in #Pakistan’s #Punjabprovince”.
#India's most wanted #terrorist & #Mumbaiattack #mastermind #HafizSaeed has been attacked by unknown #gunmen. It is being said that Hafiz Saeed has died in the attack. There are reports of his nephew's #AbuQatal death as well. The attack took place in #Pakistan's #Punjabprovince pic.twitter.com/aauiJ6Nk5w
— Jacob Mathew (@Jacobmathewlive) March 16, 2025
Another account @TheBahubali_IND also shared the news and wrote, “Reassuring news. Pakistani media’s claim about terrorist Hafiz Saeed. Hafiz Saeed killed in an attack by gunmen in Jhelum”. (Translated from Hindi)
सुकून वाली खबर 🚨
— Amrendra Bahubali 🇮🇳 (@TheBahubali_IND) March 16, 2025
आतंकी हाफिज सईद को लेकर पाकिस्तानी मीडिया का दावा
झेलम में बंदूकधारियों के अटैक में मारा गया हाफिज सईद pic.twitter.com/QXIdLOlb6V
Several other users and influencers have also disseminated the claims. Their posts can be seen here: @ocjain4, @SumitHansd, @haider9908.
The truth behind the claims about Hafiz Saeed, Fact Check
As soon as the posts containing the claims came to our notice. Subsequently, we conducted research and analysis regarding the claims. We found that these claims about the killing of Hafiz Saeed were baseless and fabricated.
To verify the claims made by the users. We performed relevant keyword searches but couldn’t find credible evidence to support the claims about Hafiz Saeed. However, we found multiple reports regarding the incident. According to reports (1, 2), Abu Qatal, a senior LeT operative and close aide of Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Jhelum Sindh region on Saturday night. Qatal, also known as Faisal Nadeem, had a long history of orchestrating attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and was a key figure within the LeT hierarchy.
Therefore, it is evident from D-Intent Data’s Fact Check that the claims about the killing of Hafiz were baseless and fabricated.
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— D-Intent Data (@dintentdata) March 16, 2025
ANALYSIS: Unsubstantiated
FACT: Claims are circulating that the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks has been shot dead in Pakistan. However, there is no credible evidence to support the claims about Hafiz Saeed. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/IUFn5nIxBu
Intent
Influencers are circulating misleading claims about the recent killing of LeT terrorists in Pakistan to get the spotlight on social media.
Conclusion
Claim– LeT founder and mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, Hafiz Saeed, shot dead in Pakistan.
Fact– The claims about the killing of Hafiz Saeed were baseless and fabricated. Abu Qatal, a senior LeT operative and close aide of Saeed, was shot dead by unidentified assailants.
Related Article: Fact Check: Decades-old image of a Pakistan Army funeral misattributed to the Jaffar Express hijacking in Bolan, Balochistan – D-Intent Data
