LeT Commander Asif Fauji Alias Moosa Killed In Yusmarg Operation
Top LeT commander killed in overnight joint operation in Budgam forests
In a significant success for security forces, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Asif Musa, also known by the aliases Asif Fauji and Moosa, was killed during an overnight anti-militancy operation in the dense forests of Hosmer near the Yusmarg resort in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.
According to official sources, Asif Fauji was among the most wanted Pakistani militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir and had been active in the region for nearly three years after infiltrating from across the Line of Control (LoC) in September 2023. Since his infiltration, he had emerged as a key LeT commander and played an important role in sustaining militant activities across multiple sectors of the Union Territory, officials said.
Sources said that between 2024 and 2026, Asif established a strong operational network and moved extensively across both sides of the Pir Panjal Range. Initially operating from the dense forest belts of Poonch district, he later shifted his activities towards central Kashmir, particularly Budgam and Yusmarg, where he was allegedly involved in organising and executing militant operations.
Security agencies had launched an intensive manhunt for Asif over his alleged involvement in several attacks targeting security forces. His movements had been closely monitored for a considerable period, making him one of the highest-priority targets for counter-insurgency forces in the region.
Officials further said that Asif suffered a major setback earlier when his close associate, Yasir alias Abu Talha, was killed by security forces during Operation Ashdar in the Budgam forests on September 5.
Meanwhile, the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps, also known as Chinar Corps, said in a post on X that the operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the area.
“Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Search Operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF in the general area of Korag, Yousmarg,” the Corps said.
The Army added that alert troops observed suspicious movement during the search operation.
“When challenged, the terrorists opened fire, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire in which one terrorist was neutralised. The operation remains in progress,” the statement said.
The killing of Asif Fauji is expected to impact the LeT’s operational network in Kashmir, particularly in the central Valley, where security agencies said he had been active in recent years.
