J&K: Former DGP Vaid calls Pak Lashkar Terrorist Hashim Moosa’s killing major setback for terror network

New Delhi [India], September 30 (ANI): Former Jammu and Kashmir Police Director General S.P. Vaid on Wednesday described the killing of Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Hashim Moosa in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Budgam district as a significant achievement for the security forces, saying the operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Speaking to ANI, Vaid said the encounter took place in the high-altitude and densely forested Yousmarg area of Budgam district.
"The encounter took place in the Yousmarg area of Budgam district. It is a high-altitude area with thick forests. It happened in the Khourag area, where he was killed. The operation was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF," he said.
Vaid said Hashim Moosa was a highly trained terrorist and alleged that his footprints were linked to several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including attacks in the Poonch region and the Pahalgam terror attack.
"If we look back two to three years, when our forces were attacked in the Poonch area on the DKG and Bhimber Gali route, we saw guerrilla-type attacks and ambushes, in which we lost our soldiers. In one incident, five soldiers were martyred, and we also lost Air Force personnel," he said.
He also referred to the attack in the Gulmarg area and the Reasi terror attack on pilgrims, saying Moosa was believed to have been involved in planning major attacks.
"He is considered the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack. Look at his footprints; he was a Pakistani national and a commando-trained terrorist who was specifically trained for jungle warfare and guerrilla operations," Vaid said.
Calling the operation a major success, Vaid said Moosa's elimination would impact terror activities in the Pir Panjal region.
"Hashim Moosa was a highly trained commando specialising in ambushes and guerrilla-type attacks. His footprints were seen in various attacks in Poonch, DKG, Bhimber Gali, the Gulmarg attack, and the Reasi attack on pilgrims," he added. (ANI)