Ex-Pak commando ‘Musa’ behind the Pahalgam massacre

The recent terror attack in Pahalgam, which left several security personnel and civilians, majority of the Hindus, dead, is now believed to have been orchestrated by Hashim Musa, a former Pakistani Special Forces commando who was, in most likelihood, loaned by the Pakistani army to the Lashkar-affiliated terrorist group, according to official sources and media reports.

Investigations by Indian intelligence agencies have revealed that ​Musa, a highly trained operative with experience in Pakistan’s elite military units, was the mastermind behind the April 22 terror attack. Officials have described him as a “highly skilled militant” whose combat abilities were comparable to NATO-trained soldiers.

Sources indicate that Musa previously served in the Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG), an elite division known for its rigorous training in guerrilla warfare, high-altitude combat, and covert operations. After allegedly leaving the military, Musa reportedly crossed into Indian territory to join militant groups operating in Kashmir.

“This was not a typical infiltration. This was the work of someone trained to survive, to plan, and to inflict maximum damage with precision,” a senior security official quoted by reporters said on condition of anonymity.

The attack in Pahalgam targeted a convoy near a popular tourist area, a move seen by analysts as an attempt to disrupt the fragile peace and growing tourism in the Kashmir Valley.

Security forces have launched an extensive search operation in south Kashmir, focusing on dense forest areas around Anantnag district, where Musa is believed to be hiding. Drone surveillance, electronic monitoring and ground intelligence are being heavily utilised to track his movements.

Officials believe Musa’s deployment signals a worrying trend: the infiltration of highly trained ex-military operatives into militant ranks. “This is a tactical escalation,” said a senior counterterrorism analyst to a media outlet. “It suggests a deliberate strategy to use individuals with elite military backgrounds to carry out high-profile attacks.”

The Ministry of External Affairs is expected to raise the matter diplomatically with Pakistan, citing it as further evidence of cross-border terrorism backed by Pakistan’s state or quasi-state actors, a charge Pakistan routinely denies without fail.

As of now, Hashim Musa remains at large. The search to capture him alive is being described as a “top priority” for Indian security forces.

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