In a major counter-terror operation, the Indian Army's special forces on Monday killed Hashim Musa—also known as Suleman Musa—along with two other terrorists in a fierce gunfight in Srinagar. Musa, identified as the mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack, was neutralised during Operation Mahadev, which is still ongoing.
The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps confirmed the development on social media, stating, “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. The operation continues.”
The encounter took place in the upper reaches of the Dachigam Forest in Srinagar’s Harwan area. According to reports, Indian forces, including units from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police, launched the joint operation after tracking the movement of suspected foreign terrorists for over 14 days. A vital tip-off came from local nomads, aiding the forces in intercepting the militants.
Musa was a former para-commando with Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG). Following his dismissal from the military, he joined the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Intelligence gathered from 14 Kashmiri Over Ground Workers (OGWs), detained for allegedly helping terrorists with logistics and reconnaissance, revealed Musa's elite military background.
Regarded as a specialist in unconventional warfare and covert operations, Musa brought advanced combat skills to LeT, making him a key player in Pakistan-backed terror strategies in Jammu and Kashmir. His elimination marks a significant blow to the operational leadership of LeT in the region.
The operation reflects India’s continued resolve to dismantle cross-border terrorism and neutralise foreign-trained operatives operating in the Valley.