Hashim Moosa Killed in Budgam: Ex-Pak SSG Commando Linked to Pahalgam Case Was on Security Radar

NewsDesk7 | Jammu & Kashmir | October 1, 2026: Security forces have killed Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative who had been under investigation for his alleged links to the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. He was killed during a joint operation in the Korag-Yousmarg area of Budgam district, and his body was later recovered from the Palmaidan area along with what the Army described as war-like stores.
The operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF and was launched after specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. Security personnel detected suspicious movement and, according to the Army's account, came under fire after challenging the militants, triggering an exchange of fire.
Who Was Hashim Moosa?
Moosa was also known by aliases including Asif Fauji and Suleiman. Security-agency sources had previously identified him as a Pakistani national associated with LeT and said he had earlier served in Pakistan's Special Services Group (SSG) as a para-commando. He was believed to have entered India in 2023 and operated across parts of the Pir Panjal region and Kashmir Valley.
His reported military background became an important part of the security agencies' assessment of him, particularly because of his suspected combat and counter-insurgency training.
Why Was Moosa Under Investigation After Pahalgam?
Moosa came under intense scrutiny after the April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran near Pahalgam, in which 26 people were killed. Jammu and Kashmir Police subsequently identified him among the Pakistan-linked LeT terrorists wanted in connection with the wider investigation and announced a ₹20 lakh reward for information leading to his arrest.
However, reporting on his precise role has varied. While some security accounts described him as a key figure or mastermind linked to the attack, other reporting has noted that he was not among the three gunmen identified as the direct attackers at Baisaran. His alleged connection was instead tied to the broader LeT network and the investigation into the conspiracy surrounding the attack.
Last Surviving Member of a Four-Man LeT Group
According to government-linked accounts, Moosa was the last surviving member of a four-member LeT group that had been active in Jammu and Kashmir since 2022.
The other three members were killed in separate security operations between 2024 and 2026. Authorities have linked the group to multiple attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, although the exact role of individual members has been described differently in various reports.
With Moosa's death, officials said the four-member group has now been eliminated.
How Security Forces Tracked Him
The latest operation followed months of efforts to locate Moosa. Intelligence inputs were used to narrow down his movements in the forested and mountainous terrain around Yousmarg and Budgam.
The Army said the joint operation began after specific intelligence about terrorist presence in the area. During the search, troops observed suspicious activity and encountered armed resistance.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of Moosa's body and war-like stores from the Palmaidan area.
Weapons and Equipment Recovered
Officials said security forces recovered weapons and other war-like material following the operation.
Reports have cited recovery of an AK-47, magazines and communication equipment, although the exact list of seized material remains subject to official investigation and further verification. Free Press Journal
Why His Killing Is Significant
Moosa had remained one of the Pakistan-linked LeT operatives being actively pursued in Jammu and Kashmir after the Pahalgam attack.
His reported background as a former SSG commando, alleged involvement in several attacks and connections to LeT handlers made him a focus of counter-terrorism investigations. Authorities had also been examining his suspected movements and contacts across the Pir Panjal region.
Pahalgam Case Investigation Continues
The National Investigation Agency has separately filed a chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror case naming Pakistan-based LeT and its proxy The Resistance Front (TRF), along with other accused, including alleged handler Sajid Jatt. The probe has focused on the planning, facilitation and execution of the attack.
Moosa's death could therefore become an important development in efforts to piece together the broader network allegedly operating behind attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.
The security operation in the Yousmarg area continued after the encounter as forces conducted further searches for possible additional militants or material.
Key Highlights
- Name: Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa
- Affiliation: Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, according to authorities
- Location of encounter: Korag-Yousmarg, Budgam
- Body recovered: Palmaidan area
- Background: Reportedly former Pakistan SSG para-commando
- Pahalgam link: Identified as a key suspect in the wider 2025 attack investigation
- Reward: ₹20 lakh announced for information leading to his arrest
- Latest operation: Joint action by Army, J&K Police and CRPF
- Investigation: Search operations and wider counter-terror probe continuing