Top LeT commander killed in overnight op in Yousmarg forests, say officials

Srinagar: Top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Asif Musa (also known as Asif Fauji or Moosa) has been killed in an overnight operation in Yousmarg forests in central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

Official sources told GNS that Asif Musa has been active in Jammu and Kashmir for approximately three years, having infiltrated Indian territory in September 2023.

Over the past two years (2024–2026), he set up bases and heavily operated across both sides of the Pir Panjal range — moving through the dense forests of the Poonch district before shifting his focus to the central Kashmir sectors of Budgam and Yusmarg.

The sources added that a massive hunt was launched against Moosa as he was involved in several attacks on armed forces.

His close aide Yasir alias Abu Talha was also killed on 5 September in a military operation Ashdar in Budgam forests, they added.

Meanwhile, Army’s Chinar Corps in a post on X said, “Based on specific intelligence input, a Joint Search Operation was launched by Indian Army, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf_srinagar in general area 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. (GNS)