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Pahalgam mastermind likely received elite commando training in Pak: Sources

Pahalgam mastermind likely received elite commando training in Pak: Sources

India Today29-04-2025
Hashim Musa, identified as the mastermind behind the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam, is believed to have received elite para-commando training in Pakistan, which effectively aided his terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, according to sources in the security establishment.Musa, believed to be in his late 20s, is reportedly a former soldier who infiltrated Indian territory through the Kathua and Samba sectors. After infiltration, he became active in the Dera Ki Gali area of Rajouri-Poonch, where his Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module is suspected of orchestrating numerous attacks on security forces over the past year.advertisementPakistani para-commandos, particularly those trained by the Special Services Group (SSG), are renowned for their expertise in unconventional warfare, survival tactics, and mountain combat. Their training includes high-endurance operations, close-quarters battle (CQB), navigation through difficult terrain, and advanced evasion techniques, all of which appear to be reflected in Musa's operations.
Hashim Musa (extreme right), along with other terrorists, unleashed horror in Pahalgam.
According to sources within the security grid, the group's behaviour on the ground indicates a high degree of battle-hardiness and training. The terrorists have successfully evaded police and army patrols, continuously moving through rugged mountain forests while avoiding contact with civilians.advertisementNotably, they have refrained from approaching villages for food, unlike past infiltrators, who were often neutralised quickly due to fatigue and their reliance on local support.Another indicator of professional military training is the use of advanced weaponry, including M4 carbines, during the Pahalgam attack. These weapons require specialised handling and maintenance skills, typically acquired through formal military instruction.
NIA announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any information leading to the arrest of Hashim Musa.
Sources confirm that the group's modus operandi strongly suggests that Hashim Musa received elite training, likely under Pakistan's Special Forces framework, making his network more dangerous and difficult to neutralise.
IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir#Pakistan
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