Who Is Ilyas Kashmiri? Age, Biography and Wiki
Ilyas Kashmiri was born on February 10, 1964, in Pakistan. He became known as an influential figure within al-Qaeda, gaining a reputation for his militant activities in the region. His life was filled with complexities, marked by both personal and ideological struggles, that ultimately culminated in his death in 2011. As of 2025, he would have been 61 years old.
Kashmiri's background is rooted in the militant movements of his time. Engaging in terrorist activities, he was linked to various attacks on global scales.
| Occupation | Leaders |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 10, 1964 |
| Age | 47 Years |
| Birth Place | Bhimber, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Date of death | 3 June, 2011 |
| Died Place | North Waziristan, Federally Administered Tribal Areas, Pakistan |
Popularity
Ilyas Kashmiri's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific physical measurements of Ilyas Kashmiri might not be widely documented due to his clandestine lifestyle, it is speculated that he stood at an average height for men in the region. His weight could have varied due to his training and lifestyle, which focused on physical endurance and combat readiness.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Information regarding Ilyas Kashmiri's family is limited, largely due to the secretive nature of his life. He may have had close familial ties, but details about his personal relationships, including any girlfriends or spouses, remain undisclosed. Most data suggest that his dedication to militant activities overshadowed his ability to maintain a traditional family life.
He would later himself build a madrasa as well a mosque in his home village Thathi in the Bhimber District, with his wife and four children living next to these buildings.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimating Ilyas Kashmiri's net worth in 2025 is challenging as he was primarily focused on his militant career rather than conventional monetary pursuits. However, as a leader within al-Qaeda, he likely had access to considerable resources and funding for operations. Many militants in similar positions often acquire funds through various means, including but not limited to donations, criminal activities, and other illicit channels.
Career, Business and Investments
Ilyas Kashmiri's career was predominantly centered around militancy. He was actively involved in planning and executing attacks for al-Qaeda, and he held a significant role in the organization's operations in South Asia. Kashmiri was known for his strategic mind and ability to influence others within the militant community.
His 'business' was not typical by any means; rather than conventional investments, he dedicated his life to a cause, drawing on ideological motivations more so than financial gain.
During court testimony on 31 May 2011, Headley indicated that he had conducted preliminary research for Kashmiri in a plot targeting Robert J. Stevens, the CEO of Lockheed-Martin, the defence contractor.
Social Network
Ilyas Kashmiri was part of a vast network of militants and supporters within jihadist movements. Though he was not active on mainstream social networks like Facebook or Twitter, his connections were significant in the underground and militant-led forums. These networks helped facilitate communications and operations within the al-Qaeda organization and other allied groups.
Before his death, bin Laden had asked Kashmiri to plan an attack on Barack Obama, according to a column by David Ignaitius published on the Washington Post web site. Ignaitius stated that his column was based on documents seized from the raid on bin Laden's compound.
In the wake of the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden on 2 May 2011 during an American operation in Abbottabad, Pakistan, terrorism analysts put forth Kashmiri's name as one of several possible successors to lead the organisation.
Education
Details on Ilyas Kashmiri's education are sparse. However, it is commonly understood that his indoctrination into militant ideology came from his early life experiences and environment rather than formal education. His knowledge of military tactics and strategy, akin to many militants, likely stemmed from practical engagement rather than a structured academic background.
His schoolteacher described the young Kashmiri as "an obedient student, a good athlete and an excellent debater." Kashmiri later spent a year studying communications at the Allama Iqbal University.
He also studied for some time in Karachi's Jamia Uloom-ul-Islamia, a madrasa known to produce Islamist militants, where he'd form, with two follow students, the nucleus of what would become the first jihadist outfit of the country, Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami (HuJI).
