BUDGAM: Security forces on Wednesday recovered the body of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa during a search operation in the Palmaidan area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district. War-like stores were also recovered from the site.
The Chinar Corps confirmed the recovery, stating that troops found the body during an early-morning search in the general area of Palmaidan.
The operation, codenamed Operation KORAG, was launched in the Yousmarg area following specific intelligence inputs. According to security forces, vigilant troops noticed suspicious movement and challenged the suspected terrorists, who opened fire. A gunfight followed, during which Moosa was killed.
Search operations were continuing in the area to determine whether any other terrorists were present and to recover additional weapons or other material.
Moosa had been identified as one of the key suspects in the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 tourists were killed. Following the attack, Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Pakistan nationals and LeT terrorists, including Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Moosa.
Security agency sources had also identified Moosa as a former para-commando of Pakistan’s Special Service Group.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the Pahalgam attack, had earlier chargesheeted seven accused, including Pakistan-based LeT and its alias, The Resistance Front (TRF). Both organisations are proscribed terrorist outfits. The 1,597-page chargesheet detailed the alleged conspiracy and roles of the accused in planning, facilitating and executing the attack, and also named Pakistan-based terrorist handler Sajid Jatt as an accused.
The recovery of Moosa’s body and war-like stores comes as security forces continue operations in the Yousmarg area to sanitise the surrounding terrain and rule out the presence of any additional terrorists.
