Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Pakistan Army Rejects Claim Retired Havildar Killed Kashmir
Indian officials said a man named Mohd Asif, also known as Hashim Moosa, was killed in Kashmir.
They said he was a senior member of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Pakistan’s army said this claim was false.
During a press conference, its spokesman showed a man who said he was Asif.
The man said he was sitting at home when he heard reports that he had been killed.
He said he had joined the Pakistan Army in 2000.
He also said he served in the Special Services Group and retired in 2023.
The two sides therefore gave completely different accounts of what happened.
Indian officials said Mohd Asif alias Hashim Moosa was killed in a joint operation in Budgam.
They described Asif as a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist involved in high-profile attacks.
Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected the claim during a press conference.
Chaudhry presented a man identified as Asif, who said he was alive and living with his family.
The man said he served in the Pakistan Army and its Special Services Group before retiring in 2023.
- Who
- Indian officials and the Pakistan Army gave conflicting accounts involving Mohd Asif alias Hashim Moosa.
- What
- Indian officials said Asif was killed, while Pakistan’s army presented a man who said he was alive.
- When
- The reported operation took place Tuesday night; the Pakistani denial was reported on Thursday, October 1.
- Where
- The alleged killing was reported in Budgam district in central Jammu and Kashmir; the presented man said he lived in Rawalpindi.
- Why
- Indian officials linked Asif to Lashkar-e-Taiba and high-profile attacks, while Pakistan’s army rejected the identification and killing claim.
Indian Officials' Account
Pakistan Army's Account
Whether Asif was killed
Indian Officials' Account
Indian officials said Mohd Asif alias Hashim Moosa was neutralised in a joint operation in Budgam.
Pakistan Army's Account
Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the claim was false and presented a man who identified himself as Asif.
Asif's alleged role
Indian Officials' Account
Indian officials described him as a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist involved in high-profile attacks.
Pakistan Army's Account
The presented man said he was a former Pakistan Army and Special Services Group serviceman who had retired in 2023.
Where Asif was
Indian Officials' Account
Indian officials said he was killed in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan Army's Account
The man presented by Pakistan’s army said he was at home and had been living with his family in Rawalpindi.
- Reported victim
- Mohd Asif, also known as Hashim Moosa or Asif Fauji
- Reported location
- Budgam district, central Jammu and Kashmir
- Operation
- A joint operation by the Indian Army and other security forces
- Indian account
- Officials said Asif was a top Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist who was killed
- Pakistani response
- Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry rejected the claim
- Presented man's account
- He said he joined the Pakistan Army in 2000, served in the Special Services Group, and retired in 2023
- Reported residence
- The presented man said he had been living with his family in Rawalpindi