Our Bureau
New Delhi
Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Asif, alias Hashim Moosa, who was wanted in connection with the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday. The operation was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
According to the Army’s Chinar Corps, the encounter took place in the Korag area of Yousmarg. Moosa’s body was later recovered from the Palmaidan area along with war-like stores. His death has brought renewed attention to his alleged role in the Pahalgam attack and other militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Moosa was identified by security agencies as one of the key suspects in the April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police S.P. Vaid described him as a highly trained militant and alleged that he was involved in planning the attack.
Security agency sources cited Moosa had previously served as a para-commando in Pakistan’s Special Service Group (SSG), reportedly holding the rank of Havildar. According to these sources, he left the SSG in 2023 before joining LeT and subsequently entering India.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has separately investigated the Pahalgam attack and charge sheeted seven accused, including Pakistan-based LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF), in connection with the alleged conspiracy. The agency’s chargesheet also named Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt.