Hashim Moosa, linked to Pahalgam attack, killed in Budgam encounter
Published
Security forces say the Lashkar-e-Taiba operative died on 30 September. His exact role in the 26 deaths at Pahalgam is still not on the record.
Reporting as of 1 October 2026, 9:10am IST.
Who was Hashim Moosa? Security forces describe him as a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, killed in an encounter in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on 30 September. Investigators had linked him to the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 people were killed.
The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps announced the encounter. It said the body of a Pakistan-based LeT terrorist was recovered "along with war like stores". Reports give his name as Mohammad Asif, alias Hashim Moosa.
Operation KORAG was still under way in Yousmarg
The encounter took place in the Yousmarg area of Budgam, under Operation KORAG. Zee News reported that searches for other possible terrorists were continuing.
Who he was, by the security agencies' account, is where the outlets differ most.
Agencies describe a former Pakistan Army commando
India TV, citing a security-agency profile, says he was born on 7 March 1980, joined the Pakistan Army in 2000 and its Special Services Group in 2005, and retired on 31 March 2023. It says he was sent to Jammu and Kashmir that June and had earlier served on Pervez Musharraf's VVIP security from 2006 to 2009.
These details come from one outlet and are not independently confirmed. Free Press Journal, for instance, reports a different alias, Suleiman Shah.
What his death means for the Pahalgam case
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed a 1,597-page chargesheet against seven accused, including LeT, its offshoot TRF and the Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt. A reward of Rs 20 lakh had been announced for Moosa's arrest.
What the reports do not say is whether he took part in the attack or helped plan it. We found nothing on record from the NIA today, and it is not known whether the agency will formally close his role in the case.
India TV also links him to the Dera Ki Gali attack (December 2023), the IAF convoy ambush (May 2024) and the Gulmarg attack (October 2024). That is a single-source claim.
Outlets framed the killing three ways
India TV led on his Pakistan Army and Musharraf-guard background. Zee News framed it as a counter-terror success under the headline "Top LeT terrorist killed". Free Press Journal stressed that he had evaded forces for months before being killed.
See how every outlet covered it
What happens next
Operation KORAG's searches in Yousmarg were still going when these reports were filed. No date has been given for any NIA statement on his role.
This story was produced with AI assistance and reviewed, edited and verified by the reporter before publication.
Covered by 3 outlets across the spectrum: 0% left, 33% center, 67% right.
Who is covering this story
- Center (1): Free Press Journal
- Right-leaning (2): India TV English, Zee News English
Sources
- Hashim Moosa, linked to Pahalgam attack, killed in Budgam encounter — Free Press Journal (center) ·
- Hashim Moosa, linked to Pahalgam attack, killed in Budgam encounter — India TV English (right-leaning) ·
- Hashim Moosa, linked to Pahalgam attack, killed in Budgam encounter — Zee News English (right-leaning) ·