Indian Army’s Special Forces gunned down Hashim Musa alias Suleman—alleged mastermind of the deadly Pahalgam attack—in a fierce gunfight near the Dachigam forests on Monday.
Security sources confirmed that Musa, a key figure in cross-border terror operations, was among three terrorists neutralised during the operation.
The encounter occurred in Harwan, approximately 20 km from Srinagar city, following weeks of surveillance and intelligence coordination. A suspicious communication from a Huawei satellite phone—linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack—helped zero in on the terrorists’ location.
“Three terrorists have been neutralised. Operation continues,” said an official from the Chinar Corps. The operation was launched after intelligence flagged renewed activity on the dormant satellite device, pointing to a remote hideout in Dachigam—an area known for its strategic terrain that allows militants covert movement between Kashmir’s central and southern regions.
The dense forests and rugged peaks of Dachigam offer natural corridors often exploited by militants to evade detection. Security officials revealed that terror outfits have long used this area to stockpile supplies, often obtained from nomadic communities under duress.
This decisive strike marks a significant blow to militant networks operating in the Valley, particularly those behind the April attack that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam. Intelligence agencies believe the elimination of Musa and his associates may unravel deeper terror connections in the region.
