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In a chilling revelation, Hashim Musa, the main accused in the Pahalgam terror attack that shook India on April 22, 2025, has been identified as a former para-commando of the Pakistan Army’s Special Forces. The uncovering of Musa’s military background has provided crucial evidence of Pakistan’s direct involvement in orchestrating terror operations within Indian borders, especially in the sensitive region of Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigations carried out by premier security agencies, including the National Investigation Agency (NIA), have exposed the extensive and deeply coordinated conspiracy between Pakistan’s notorious Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Musa was reportedly seconded by Pakistan’s elite Special Services Group (SSG) to Lashkar, specifically for executing strategic attacks in Kashmir.

The SSG commandos are widely recognized for their mastery in unconventional warfare, covert operations, and strategic assaults. Their rigorous training encompasses physical endurance, mental toughness, stealth tactics, and sophisticated combat skills, which explains the lethal precision of the Pahalgam attack.

Pakistan's Proxy War in Kashmir

The direct deployment of an ex-commando like Hashim Musa underscores Pakistan’s relentless proxy war in Kashmir. Sources close to the investigation revealed that Musa infiltrated Kashmir to target non-locals and security personnel, aiming to derail peace efforts and trigger communal unrest.

Further investigation disclosed that Musa had been instrumental in two other high-profile terror attacks before Pahalgam:

• Gagangir, Ganderbal Attack (October 2024): Six non-locals and a doctor were killed.

• Buta Pathri, Baramulla Attack (October 2024): Two soldiers and two Army porters lost their lives.

Both these attacks, previously unconnected, are now linked to Musa’s operational command, providing a broader picture of the systematic terror strategy employed by Pakistan-backed elements.

Local Networks and Overground Workers (OGWs) Unmasked

The investigation also unraveled an intricate local support network comprising Overground Workers (OGWs) and facilitators who played a critical role. At least 15 OGWs have been detained so far, and their interrogation has been vital in piecing together the timeline and operational logistics of the massacre.

The role of OGWs included:

• Providing safe shelters to the infiltrators.

• Assisting in weapon smuggling and transportation.

• Conducting detailed reconnaissance of tourist spots.

• Mapping escape routes and hideouts in the dense forests of South Kashmir.

Their actions enabled the terrorists to execute the brutal attack at Baisaran, killing 26 civilians, among them 25 tourists, sending shockwaves across the nation.

Neutralization of Co-Conspirators

Two local terrorists — Junaid Ahmad Bhat and Arbaaz Mir, who were earlier trained in Pakistan — were identified as Musa’s collaborators in the Gagangir and Buta Pathri attacks. Both were neutralized by Indian security forces in operations conducted between November and December 2024.

However, Musa continued his terror campaign unimpeded until the gruesome Pahalgam massacre.

Growing List of Terror Targets

In response to the increasing threat, Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have now intensified counter-terror operations, unveiling a hit list comprising 14 terrorists actively operating in Kashmir.

Prime targets include:

• Adil Rehman from Sopore

• Amir Nazir Wani from Pulwama

• Yawar Ahmad Bhat from Pulwama

• Asif Ahmad, Naseer Ahmad, Shahid Ahmad, Amir Ahmad Dar, and Adnan Dar from Shopian

Security forces have launched specific intelligence-led operations focusing on districts like Pulwama, Shopian, Sopore, Anantnag, and Kulgam, aiming to dismantle these militant networks completely.

ISI's Deepened Involvement

The broader picture painted by the investigation hints at deep-rooted ISI involvement in not only facilitating infiltration but also in training and guiding operations carried out inside Indian territory.

Pakistani agencies have seemingly shifted their strategy by deploying trained military operatives like Musa rather than relying solely on locally radicalized militants. This move indicates a tactical escalation aimed at inflicting maximum damage and showcasing plausible deniability.

India’s Diplomatic Stand and Global Reactions

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is reportedly preparing a dossier based on findings from the Pahalgam attack investigation, which will be presented to international forums to expose Pakistan’s double game of projecting itself as a victim of terror while simultaneously nurturing and exporting terrorism.

International observers, including those from UN and various Western nations, are closely watching the developments, as evidence piles up against Pakistan’s state machinery supporting terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy.

Conclusion

The exposure of Hashim Musa, an ex-Pakistani Army commando turned terrorist, as the mastermind of the Pahalgam massacre, marks a significant development in India's ongoing fight against cross-border terrorism. It underscores the urgent need for global accountability on Pakistan’s role in nurturing terror, even as Indian forces intensify their efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety of civilians in Kashmir.

The Indian Army and security agencies remain vigilant, determined to eradicate terrorism from the region, and restore peace and normalcy for all citizens, including the brave non-locals who contribute significantly to Kashmir’s socio-economic fabric.

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