Top Lashkar Terrorist Saifullah Khalid Killed, Key Conspirator in Major India Attacks

Saifullah Khalid, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba operative linked to three major terror attacks in India, was killed by unidentified assailants in Pakistan’s Sindh province, sources confirmed on Sunday.

Khalid, a long-wanted LeT commander, was gunned down in Matli, Badin district of Sindh, Pakistan, according to intelligence sources. He was reportedly shot by unknown attackers, and local authorities are yet to identify the assailants.

Khalid is believed to have masterminded the 2001 CRPF camp attack in Rampur, the 2005 Indian Science Congress (ISC) attack in Bangalore, and the 2006 RSS headquarters assault in Nagpur.

These attacks collectively claimed numerous lives and were seen as significant escalations in LeT’s India-focused operations.

Khalid had previously operated from Nepal under the false identity of “Vinode Kumar” and was married to a local woman named Nagma Banu. While in Nepal, he is suspected of overseeing LeT’s recruitment and logistics channels.

“He kept a low profile in Nepal, avoiding detection while facilitating LeT’s terror network from the shadows,” a security source said.

More recently, Khalid relocated to Matli in Pakistan’s Sindh province, where he continued working with LeT and its front Jamaat-ud-Dawa. His primary roles included fundraising and manpower mobilisation for cross-border operations.

Intelligence officials believe his killing could be the result of internal rivalry or a hit planned by a foreign agency.

Lashkar-e-Taiba, designated a terror organisation by the UN and several countries, has been behind multiple high-profile attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Khalid’s involvement in attacks across a five-year period underscored his seniority within the group.

Indian agencies had long tracked his movements but were unable to apprehend him. His sudden death in Pakistan has reignited discussions around Lashkar’s internal dynamics and security vulnerabilities in its rear bases.

There has been no official statement from Pakistan’s law enforcement or military. Indian officials are monitoring developments closely.