- By Swati Singh
- Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Ilyas Kashmiri, who inspired Arjun Rampal's character Major Iqbal in Dhurandhar, was a Pakistani Special Forces Operator turned Islamist jihadist militant leader. According to NBC News, officials in the United States had once identified Ilyas Kashmiri as a potential successor to Osama bin Laden as the head of al-Qaeda, underlining the level of influence and threat he was perceived to hold. His reputation within global intelligence circles was further highlighted by a CNN headline that described him as the 'most dangerous man on Earth' prior to his death.
Adding to this assessment, journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad noted that intelligence agencies around the world consistently regarded Kashmiri as one of the most effective and formidable guerrilla leaders. He was widely described as highly dangerous and strategically successful, reinforcing his standing as a key figure in global terrorism discussions at the time.
To makers of #Ikkis
— GSK (@GSVKapoor) January 5, 2026
"Kaun dushman” you ask ?
Ye dushman - Ilyas Kashmiri,who behe@ded Sepoy Bhausaheb Maruti Talekar. The severed head was carried across the LoC, paraded as a trophy before a cheering crowd, and then kicked around like a football. pic.twitter.com/YRqpxy7DaF
Major Terrorist Activities By Ilyas Kashmiri
Ilyas Kashmiri has been linked to several major attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the 2010 Pune bombing and the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, among others. Journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad claimed that Kashmiri had proposed the Mumbai attacks to Al-Qaeda leaders as part of a broader strategy, though execution was linked to operatives like Major Haroon Ashique.
He was also reportedly involved in planning other high-profile operations, including a failed assassination attempt on General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the 2009 Camp Chapman attack, with the United States seeking his arrest in connection with such activities.
ALSO READ: AI Reimagines Dhurandhar 2 Ending As Yalina Marries Jaskirat In India; Fans React
How Was Ilyas Kashmiri Killed?
Ilyas Kashmiri was killed on June 3, 2011, in a US drone strike. The attack occurred in the South Waziristan district of Pakistan, targeting a compound where he was present.