Operation Sheruwali: How security forces tracked LeT commander Musa in months-long hunt since May | India News

NEW DELHI: The killing of senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Musa in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district on Wednesday was the culmination of a months-long intelligence-led operation, named ‘Operation Sheruwali’, launched in May 2026.Security forces had been tracking Musa for a prolonged period before a coordinated plan involving multiple agencies was drawn up to neutralise him, following the receipt of technical and human intelligence about his movements and presence in the area.The operation culminated in an encounter in the Yousmarg area of Budgam, where Musa was killed. His body was later recovered along with war-like stores, according to the Army.Also read| Ex-Pakistan SSG commando, highly trained LeT terrorist, Pahalgam mastermind: Who was Hashim Moosa; killed in J&K encounterThe ministry of information and broadcasting said the operation dealt a blow to the LeT network in Jammu and Kashmir, with Musa’s killing bringing an end to a group of four senior commanders who had been operating in the union territory since 2022 and were linked to several attacks.

How Operation Sheruwali unfolded

According to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau (PIB), security forces had been pursuing Musa for a long time. A specific plan involving all stakeholders was recently put in place after intelligence inputs indicated his movement and presence.The government said the operation to neutralise Musa was part of the ongoing ‘Operation Sheruwali’, which began in May 2026.The Army’s Chinar Corps, meanwhile, said the encounter took place during Operation Korag in the Yousmarg area of Budgam district. Troops launched a search operation based on specific intelligence inputs and challenged suspicious movement, following which terrorists opened fire.The operation involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).The search continued after the encounter, with security personnel checking the surrounding areas for any additional terrorist presence. Musa’s body was recovered from the general area of Palmaidan along with war-like stores, according to the Chinar Corps.

Is Hashim Moosa an ex-Pakistan SSG commando?

One of the key aspects of Musa’s background is his alleged association with Pakistan’s military.ANI, quoting security agency sources, reported that Musa had served as a para-commando in Pakistan’s Special Service Group (SSG), where he held the rank of Havildar. According to the sources, he retired from the SSG in 2023, subsequently joined the LeT and infiltrated into India.Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP S P Vaid described Musa as a highly trained commando specialising in ambushes and guerrilla-style attacks.Vaid alleged that Musa’s footprints had been seen in several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including those in Poonch, DKG, Bhimber Gali, Gulmarg and the attack on pilgrims in Reasi.However, his alleged military background has been reported by security agency sources and has not been independently established.

Four-member LeT group neutralised

With Musa’s killing, all four senior LeT commanders belonging to the group that had been active in Jammu and Kashmir since 2022 have been neutralised, according to the government.The three other commanders were killed in separate encounters:

The government linked the group to several attacks across Jammu and Kashmir, including the Halan attack in August 2023, DKG attack in December 2023, Kandi attack in May 2023, Shahsitar attack in May 2024, Shiv Khori attack in June 2024, Gagangir and Bootapathri attacks in October 2024, and the Baisaran attack in April 2025.

Musa’s alleged role in Pahalgam attack

Musa was among the key suspects in the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, in which terrorists targeted tourists at Baisaran Valley, killing 26 people.The Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Pakistan nationals and LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) subsequently chargesheeted seven accused in the case, including Pakistan-based LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF), which it accused of planning, facilitating and executing the attack.

The NIA’s 1,597-page chargesheet also named Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt as an accused and detailed the alleged Pakistan-based conspiracy behind the attack.The government said the operation reflected sustained coordination between the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) in counter-terrorism operations across the union territory.