By Tehelka Bureau
Srinagar, Sep 30: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa was killed in an overnight operation by security forces in the Yousmarg forests of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Wednesday.
Officials said Moosa had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for around three years after infiltrating into the territory in September 2023.
According to officials, he operated across the Pir Panjal range and had been active in the forest areas of Poonch before shifting his focus to the Budgam and Yousmarg areas.
A search operation had been launched to track him as he was allegedly involved in several attacks on security forces, officials said.
His close aide, Yasir alias Abu Talha, was killed by security forces on September 5 during Operation Ashdar in the Budgam forests, officials added.
The Army’s Chinar Corps said in a post on X that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs.
“Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Search Operation was launched by Indian Army, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf_srinagar in general area Korag, Yousmarg.”
It said troops later observed suspicious activity and challenged the suspected terrorists.
“Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised. Operation is in progress,” it said.
