J&K: Recovered Supplies Deepen Probe Into Slain LeT Commander’s Presence in Budgam Forests
Police are examining the origin of the consignment, the circumstances under which it was placed in the forest: Reports
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their investigation into the movements and support network of Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT) commander Asif Hashim Moosa, after recovering a bag filled with medicines and eatables from the Palmaidan woods near Doodhpathri in central Budgam district.
The discovery was made close to the site where Moosa—one of LeT’s most wanted Pakistani militants—was killed in a gun battle with security forces on September 29. Local news agency GNS quoted unnamed officials as saying the items were likely meant for Moosa, and their recovery has added a crucial layer to the ongoing probe into how he sustained himself in the area and who may have been aiding him.
Police are examining the origin of the consignment, the circumstances under which it was placed in the forest, and whether overground workers or other accomplices were involved in providing logistical support. The recovery forms part of the wider investigation under FIR No. 181/2026 at Police Station Khansahib, aimed at identifying every individual connected to Moosa’s support network.
Moosa—also known by his aliases Asif Fauji and Moosa—was killed during an overnight anti‑militancy operation in the dense Hosmer forests near Yusmarg. Security forces launched the operation after receiving specific intelligence inputs about militant presence. According to the Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, troops noticed suspicious movement during the search, and when challenged, the militants opened fire, triggering a fierce encounter in which Moosa was neutralised.
Officials described Moosa as one of the most wanted Pakistani militants operating in J&K. After infiltrating across the Line of Control in September 2023, he spent nearly three years building a strong operational network across both sides of the Pir Panjal Range. Initially active in the forest belts of Poonch, he later shifted to central Kashmir—particularly Budgam and Yusmarg—where he played a key role in organising and executing militant activities. His movements were under close surveillance due to his alleged involvement in several attacks targeting security forces, making him a high‑priority target.
Moosa’s network suffered a major setback earlier when his close associate Yasir alias Abu Talha was killed during Operation Ashdar in Budgam on September 5. With Moosa’s death, security agencies believed a significant portion of LeT’s operational structure in central Kashmir has been dismantled.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) termed Moosa’s killing a “serious blow” to LeT’s network in the Union Territory. It said the operation was part of the long‑running Operation Sheruwali, launched in May, and that Moosa’s elimination effectively dismantled a core LeT ecosystem. He was one of four senior LeT commanders active in J&K since 2022, all of whom have now been neutralised—Junaid Bhat (December 2024), Suleman (July 2025), and Yasir (September 2026). The group was linked to multiple high‑profile attacks, including Halan (2023), Kandi (2023), DKG (2023), Shahsitar (2024), Shiv Khori (2024), Gagangir (2024), and Bootapathri.
The MHA credited sustained intelligence‑based operations and close coordination between the J&K Police, Indian Army, and CAPFs for recent counter‑terrorism successes.
Pakistan’s military spokesperson dismissed India’s claims regarding Moosa’s infiltration and activities, calling them “baseless and politically motivated.” The statement reiterated Pakistan’s standard position that it provides only “moral and diplomatic support” on Kashmir and accused India of “fabricating cross‑border infiltration narratives.” India, however, maintains that Moosa was a Pakistani national who crossed the LoC in 2023 and was deeply involved in orchestrating militant operations in the region.