LeT Commander Hashim Moosa, Linked to Pahalgam Attack, Killed in Kashmir's Budgam

In a major success in the ongoing fight against terrorism, security forces eliminated Mohammad Asif, alias Hashim Moosa, a self-styled commander of the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), in an overnight operation in the Yousmarg forests of central Kashmir's Budgam district.

Security forces recovered a cache of weapons, including an assault rifle and ammunition, from near the body of the slain terrorist.

Hashim Moosa was involved in several attacks on security forces in Rajouri district and was also linked to terrorist attacks in Botapathri and Gulmarg, as well as Sonamarg in Ganderbal district. The area where the encounter took place is part of the Yousmarg tourist destination and is located in the Pir Panjal mountains.

Confirming the killing of Hashim alias Moosa alias Fauji, officials said security forces received information about the presence of terrorists near Gurveth Kalan village, around five kilometres from Khansahab town in Budgam district, on Tuesday evening. Army personnel from 53 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) immediately launched an operation to track down the terrorists.

Late in the evening, the troops identified the location where the terrorists had taken shelter. As the soldiers approached their hideout, the terrorists attempted to flee and opened fire to prevent the troops from pursuing them.

The soldiers retaliated, triggering a gunfight. The exchange of fire continued until after midnight. During a search operation conducted on Wednesday morning, the body of a terrorist was recovered.

Moosa was a former Pakistani Army commando.

Items recovered from the slain terrorist helped confirm his identity as Hashim alias Moosa, officials said. Before joining the Lashkar-e-Taiba, he had served as a commando in the Pakistan Army.

He was reportedly associated with the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group (SSG) and had served as a Havildar. His service number was reportedly PA 3106947. He subsequently joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba after retiring from the Pakistani Army.

Targeted Army squad in 2023

Asif alias Moosa infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir through the Rajouri-Poonch route along with five to six associates in 2023.

He was also involved in the attack on an Army squad in Halan, Kulgam, on August 4, 2023. Along with his associates, he attacked an Army convoy at Dera Gali in Poonch on December 21, 2023.

Attack on Air Force personnel in Shastar, Poonch

Moosa was also involved in the attack on Indian Air Force personnel in Shastar, Poonch, on May 4, 2024. He was subsequently linked to the attack on an Army convoy in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg on October 24, 2024.

Meanwhile, sources said Hashim had managed to escape after being injured in an encounter with security forces in the hills of Ashdar, Budgam, earlier this month. His associate, Yasir, was killed in the encounter.

Security forces maintained constant surveillance in the areas surrounding Ashdar, anticipating that the injured terrorist might either move towards nearby settlements or attempt to contact an associate. He was eventually traced on Tuesday.

Official sources said Asif Moosa had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for approximately three years after infiltrating into the Union Territory in September 2023.

Over the past two years, from 2024 to 2026, he established hideouts and operated extensively on both sides of the Pir Panjal range, moving through the dense forests of Poonch before shifting his focus to the central Kashmir areas of Budgam and Yousmarg.

Meanwhile, the Army's Chinar Corps said in a post on X: "Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Search Operation was launched by the Indian Army, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf_srinagar in the general area of Korag, Yousmarg."

"Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and, upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised. Operation is in progress," it said.