Who was Hashim Musa? Mastermind of Pahalgam terror attack eliminated in Srinagar encounter

Indian Army’s Special Forces eliminated Hashim Musa aks Suleman Musa (Image: X)

The Indian Army's special forces eliminated Suleman Shah alias Hashim Musa, the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack, along with two other terrorists during a significant encounter in Srinagar on Monday.

According to a report by CNN-News18, Musa was among the three terrorists killed in the fierce gun battle.

“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. The operation continues," the Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X.

In addition to the Indian Army, teams from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police are also involved in Operation Mahadev. Latest reports indicate that Indian forces intercepted the movement of foreign terrorists in the upper reaches of Dachigam Forest in Srinagar's Harwan area.

An India Today report states that local nomads provided a tip-off to the forces. The Indian troops had been tracking the movements of the terrorists for the past 14 days, the report added.

Who is Hashim Musa?
Musa is a former para-commando of the Pakistan Army's Special Service Group (SSG). After being dismissed from his position in the army, he joined the banned terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), according to several media outlets citing intelligence sources.

Musa’s background with the SSG came to light when one of the 14 Kashmiri Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who were interrogated by investigators in connection with the Pahalgam terror attack, provided information. These OGWs are suspected of having facilitated logistics for the Pakistani terrorists and assisted in the reconnaissance of the terror site.

It is believed that Musa was recruited by the Pakistan Army’s SSG to join LeT to strengthen the organisation’s operations in Kashmir.

Musa is believed to be an expert in unconventional warfare and covert operations. Commandos like him are typically skilled in using sophisticated weapons, engaging in hand-to-hand combat, and demonstrating advanced navigation and survival skills.