Srinagar: Security forces on Tuesday night killed a Pakistani terrorist affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba in an encounter in Gurwaith Kalan area of Budgam district in Kashmir. The slain terrorist was identified as Mohammad Asif alias Moosa, Hashim and Fauji.
An assault rifle, ammunition and other weapons were recovered from the encounter site.
According to officials, Moosa was allegedly involved in several attacks on security forces in Rajouri district, as well as terrorist attacks in Botapathri, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg in Ganderbal.
The encounter took place in an area that forms part of the Yusmarg region, located in the Pir Panjal hills.
How Security Forces Tracked Him Down
Officials said security forces received intelligence inputs on Tuesday afternoon about the presence of terrorists near Gurwaith Kalan village, around five kilometres from Khansahab town in Budgam.
Personnel of the Army’s 53 Rashtriya Rifles immediately launched an operation in the area. By evening, the security forces identified the location where the terrorists were hiding.
When the terrorists noticed the troops approaching their hideout, they attempted to escape and opened fire to prevent the security forces from pursuing them.
The troops took cover and retaliated, triggering an encounter. Firing between the two sides stopped after midnight. During a search operation on Wednesday morning, security forces recovered the body of one terrorist.
Moosa Was Former Pakistani Army Commando
Officials said the identity of the slain terrorist as Hashim alias Moosa was established from material recovered from the encounter site.
Before joining Lashkar-e-Taiba, Moosa was reportedly a Pakistan Army commando. He was said to have served in the Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG) and had held the rank of Havildar.
His reported Pakistan Army service number was PA 3106947. After retiring from the army, he allegedly joined Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Infiltrated J&K in 2023
According to officials, Asif alias Moosa infiltrated Jammu and Kashmir through the Rajouri-Poonch route in 2023, along with five to six associates.
He was allegedly involved in an attack on an Army unit at Halan in Kulgam on August 4, 2023.
He was also accused of being involved in the December 21, 2023 attack on an Army convoy in Dera Ki Gali, Poonch, along with his associates.
Attack on Air Force Personnel in Poonch
Moosa was also allegedly involved in the attack on Indian Air Force personnel in the Shastar area of Poonch on May 4, 2024.
He was further named in the October 24, 2024 attack on security forces in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg.
Moosa Had Escaped After Being Injured in Earlier Encounter
Sources said Hashim had managed to escape after being injured during an encounter with security forces in the Ashdar hills of Budgam earlier this month.
His associate Yasir was killed in that encounter, while Hashim reportedly managed to flee.
Following the encounter, security forces maintained continuous surveillance across the areas surrounding Ashdar. According to sources, security personnel anticipated that the injured terrorist would either seek shelter in nearby settlements or attempt to contact someone.
The surveillance eventually helped security forces locate him, leading to Tuesday night’s encounter in Gurwaith Kalan, where he was killed.
