Srinagar, Sep 30 (NVI) : A top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, identified as Asif Musa alias Asif Fauji or Moosa, was killed in an overnight operation by security forces in the Yousmarg forests of central Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said on Wednesday.
The operation was launched in the Korag area of Yousmarg based on specific intelligence inputs, they said.
According to officials, Musa had been active in Jammu and Kashmir for around three years after infiltrating into the territory in September 2023.
He had been operating across the Pir Panjal range, including the dense forests of Poonch, before shifting his activities towards the central Kashmir areas of Budgam and Yousmarg, the officials said.
The officials said a massive search operation had been underway against Musa as he was allegedly involved in several attacks on security forces.
His close associate Yasir alias Abu Talha was killed in an operation in the Budgam forests on September 5, they said.
The Chinar Corps said in a post on X that a joint search operation was launched by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF in the general area of Korag, Yousmarg.
“Vigilant troops observed suspicious activity and upon being challenged, terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire during which one terrorist was neutralised. Operation is in progress,” it said.
Further details about the operation and recovery of arms and ammunition are awaited.—(NVI)
