Pahalgam attack families welcome killing of LeT terrorist Hashim Moosa in Budgam
Synopsis
The Indian Army's Chinar Corps confirmed the killing of LeT terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa in Budgam under Op Korag — closing a chapter on the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that devastated 26 families. Victims' kin welcomed the news but demanded action against alleged domestic support networks, while a former Lt General called Pakistan a 'merchant of terror.'
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa , a Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, was killed by security forces in Budgam, J&K on 30 September .
The Chinar Corps confirmed the killing under Op Korag , stating his body and war-like stores were recovered in the Palmaidan area.
Moosa was wanted for his alleged role in the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that affected 26 families .
Victim's wife Aishanya Dwivedi called for action against alleged domestic supporters of terrorists, terming such support 'treason.' Former Lt General Sanjay Kulkarni said all terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack have now reportedly been eliminated; one associate was killed about three weeks earlier .
Op Korag remains active, according to the Indian Army.
Family members of victims of the Pahalgam terror attack on Wednesday, 30 September welcomed the elimination of Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, who was killed by security forces in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir. Moosa had been wanted for his alleged role in the April 2025 Pahalgam attack that claimed multiple lives and left dozens of families shattered.
Army Confirms the Killing
The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army confirmed the elimination of the Pakistan-linked militant, announcing the development in a post on X early Wednesday morning. 'Further to the ongoing operation ('Op Korag'), during the search early morning in the general area of Palmaidan, the body of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa was recovered along with war-like stores,' the Chinar Corps stated. The Army added that Op Korag was still underway at the time of the announcement.
Victims' Families React
Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Pahalgam attack victim Shubham Dwivedi, described the operation as a significant achievement and praised the Indian Army's efforts in tracking down those responsible. She urged security forces to extend similar action against individuals allegedly sheltering terrorists inside the country. 'If people within the country do not support them, situations like the one in Pahalgam would not arise,' she said.
Dwivedi also questioned how Hashim Moosa had managed to remain in India for an extended period without local assistance, alleging that terrorists entering from Pakistan depend on a support network within the country. 'The Army should find out and eliminate such people too, who provide support to terrorists, because this is treason,' she added.
Asavari Jagdale, daughter of victim Santosh Jagdale, recalled that her father and one of his closest friends were killed in the attack. She said the victims were allegedly asked about their religion before being shot — a detail that, according to her, would remain with the affected families for the rest of their lives. 'We will never be able to recover from this incident. It will never leave our minds and will stay with us for as long as we live,' she said. Despite her grief, Jagdale expressed relief at the news of Moosa's killing. 'Our Indian Army, intelligence agencies, NIA and all security agencies jointly handled the operation and eliminated him. I am extremely happy about this,' she said. She also conveyed gratitude on behalf of her family and, she said, all 26 affected families, urging the continuation of such operations until every terrorist involved in similar attacks is eliminated.
Military and Strategic Perspective
Former Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni said the families affected by the Pahalgam attack could finally breathe a sigh of relief, noting that all the terrorists involved in the attack had now reportedly been eliminated. 'This is a matter of great satisfaction,' he said. He also noted that one of Moosa's associates had been killed approximately three weeks earlier, suggesting a sustained operational push by security forces in the region. Describing Pakistan as a 'merchant of terror', Kulkarni said: 'It is Pakistan that pushes terrorists into India in this manner.'
Context and What Comes Next
The April 2025 Pahalgam attack was one of the deadliest terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in recent years, drawing widespread national outrage and prompting a major security response. The killing of Hashim Moosa marks a milestone in that response, though Op Korag remains active, according to the Army. This comes amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions, with New Delhi consistently attributing cross-border terrorism to Islamabad — a charge Pakistan denies. Security analysts expect counter-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley to continue at elevated intensity in the weeks ahead.
Point of View
But the more telling detail is what victims' families are now demanding — accountability for alleged domestic support networks, not just cross-border perpetrators. That demand surfaces a harder political question: how deeply embedded are local facilitation chains, and will security agencies pursue them with the same vigour applied to the gunmen? The Pahalgam attack also reinvigorated the India-Pakistan blame cycle, but with Op Korag still active, the story is not yet closed. Whether this momentum translates into systemic disruption of LeT's Kashmir infrastructure — or remains a series of high-profile eliminations — will define the operation's lasting impact.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Hashim Moosa and why was he wanted?
Hashim Moosa, whose real name was Mohammad Asif, was a Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist wanted for his alleged role in the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir. He was killed by Indian security forces in Budgam district on 30 September under Op Korag.
How did the Pahalgam attack victims' families react to Moosa's killing?
Families of the Pahalgam attack victims welcomed the news. Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of victim Shubham Dwivedi, praised the Army and urged action against those allegedly sheltering terrorists domestically. Asavari Jagdale, daughter of victim Santosh Jagdale, expressed happiness and thanked all security agencies on behalf of the 26 affected families.
Have all terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack been eliminated?
According to former Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni, all terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack have now reportedly been eliminated. He noted that one of Hashim Moosa's associates was killed approximately three weeks before Moosa himself, suggesting a sustained operational push by security forces.
What was the Pahalgam terror attack?
The Pahalgam terror attack occurred in April 2025 in Jammu and Kashmir and was one of the deadliest such incidents in the region in recent years. According to victim Asavari Jagdale, those killed were allegedly asked about their religion before being shot; the attack affected at least 26 families and triggered a major security response.
