Latest news with #PahalgamAttack
News18
17 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Who Was Hashim Musa, Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed In Dachigam Encounter?
Last Updated: Ex-Pakistani SSG commando turned Lashkar handler, Musa was behind the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 civilians in Jammu and Kashmir The Indian Army's Special Forces on Monday eliminated Hashim Musa, the mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack, during an intense encounter in the dense forests of Harwan near Dachigam, Jammu and Kashmir. His death marks a major breakthrough in India's ongoing counter-terror operations in the Valley. At least three terrorists were killed in the gunfight, which took place around 20 kilometres from Srinagar's city centre. 'Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues," the Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X. The Dachigam encounter came amid a large-scale manhunt for those behind the Pahalgam massacre. Intelligence inputs gathered over the past month had indicated that some of the operatives involved in the April 22 attack may have moved into the Harwan–Dachigam region. Who Was Hashim Musa? Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman Musa, was formerly associated with Pakistan's Special Services Group (SSG), the elite commando wing of the Pakistani Army. According to multiple intelligence sources cited in media reports, Musa was later inducted into the proscribed terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba. Security officials believe he was 'loaned" by elements of Pakistan's military establishment to support Lashkar's cross-border operations in Jammu and Kashmir, part of a pattern where ex-special forces personnel are informally embedded within terror groups to enhance their operational capabilities while maintaining plausible deniability. According to an India Today report, Musa had infiltrated Indian territory around September 2023 through the Kathua–Samba sector along the International Border. After entering Jammu and Kashmir, he was active across districts such as Budgam, Baramulla, Rajouri, Poonch, and Ganderbal. These movements were pieced together through intelligence assessments and the interrogation of overground workers (OGWs) detained following the Pahalgam attack. The April 22 Pahalgam Attack On April 22, 2025, heavily armed terrorists opened fire on civilians in the Baisaran Valley area near Pahalgam, killing 26 people. The attackers were equipped with M4 rifles and used tactics that suggested professional military training and coordination. Investigators later identified Musa as the key figure behind the planning and execution of the attack. Suspected Role In Earlier Attacks Reports also link Musa to at least three other attacks in 2024, including in Ganderbal and Baramulla, where security forces and civilians were targeted. His presence in those zones was corroborated through digital intelligence and human inputs collected over several months. Reward And Search Operation Following the Pahalgam massacre, the Jammu and Kashmir Police released sketches of three suspects, including Musa, and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for actionable information. Posters were circulated in sensitive districts to generate leads. At least 15 overground workers were arrested in connection with the case, as per The New Indian Express. A Trained Threat Neutralised Musa's background in the Pakistan Army and his operations in Kashmir under Lashkar-e-Taiba's banner made him one of the most technically capable foreign terrorists active in the region. His elimination is being seen as a significant development in the ongoing campaign against Pakistani-backed terrorism. First Published: July 28, 2025, 15:14 IST News india Who Was Hashim Musa, Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed In Dachigam Encounter? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
98% UK entry guaranteed but with forgery! How Pakistanis are tricking their way into Britain with fake £50k visa documents
A visa fraud network is being run by some Pakistani consultants who are exploiting loopholes in the UK immigration system, with one firm claiming a '98% success' rate for entry, according to a report by The Telegraph. The investigation found that forged documents, including fake CVs, employment letters, and bank statements, were being sold for up to £50,000 to secure work and student visas. These materials, riddled with basic errors, were being waved through by the UK home office, enabling illegal but technically 'legal' entry into Britain. PM Modi Sends Veiled Message To Pakistan In UK, Thanks PM Starmer For Condemning Pahalgam Attack '98% entry guaranteed!' The report revealed that a widespread visa fraud operation targeting Britain's immigration system, orchestrated by Pakistani consultants, with one guarantying entry into the UK with "98% success". "Syed Kamran Haider, the chief executive of Mirpur Visa Consultant (MVC) in the Pakistan-administered region of Kashmir, was found to be operating openly online, where he advertises loopholes in the UK asylum system, which experts described as 'easy to manipulate'," the report said. MVC was charging thousands of pounds to fabricate documents such as fake CVs and bank statements for visa applicants. These falsified materials were used to meet UK immigration criteria. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo One such forged application, including a bogus employment letter from a non-existent hospital riddled with grammatical errors, was successfully used to secure a UK work visa, it said. 'Broken system, easy to manipulate' UK-based immigration lawyer Harjap Bhangal blamed the nation's "broken system" which was "easy to manipulate". 'If you claim asylum before that visa runs out, you can still work. The Home Office is a broken institution... They are not realising where the loopholes are [and] what is being done, what migrants are doing,' The Telegraph quoted him as saying. 'These visa 'consultants' are 'selling them a dream,' he said, adding: '[They are] selling a product essentially to people who don't want to come back [home]. They have found their market. [It's] quite a sophisticated scam.' Last year, Pakistanis filed 10,542 asylum applications in the UK, the highest from any single nationality and an 80% surge from the previous year, the report said citing government data. Despite these soaring numbers, Pakistanis rarely featured among the top 10 nationalities crossing into Britain via small boats, suggesting they were entering through legal visa channels, and staying there.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Evening news wrap: Rajya Sabha to debate Pahalgam attack in 16 hour session; India ends 5-year freeze on visas for China & more
. The Rajya Sabha will hold a 16-hour debate on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor next week after persistent Opposition demands. In a significant diplomatic move, India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals from July 24, easing post-Galwan tensions. Meanwhile, In cricket, KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal held steady against England, despite pressure from Brydon Carse's tight bowling, with more updates to follow. Rajya Sabha to hold 16-hour debate on Pahalgam Attack, Operation Sindoor next week The Rajya Sabha is scheduled to hold a 16-hour discussion on the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor next Tuesday, after repeated adjournments over the issue. The Upper House witnessed continuous disruptions as Opposition MPs insisted on an immediate debate, ultimately leading to an early adjournment of the day's proceedings. Read full story India to resume tourist visas for Chinese citizens after 5-year pause, easing post-Galwan tensions India will resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals starting July 24, the Indian embassy in Beijing announced. This marks the first time in five years that such visas will be granted, signaling a thaw in relations strained by the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes and ongoing trade tensions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo Read full story Ghaziabad man arrested for operating fake foreign embassy, promising jobs abroad A man from Ghaziabad has been arrested for running a fake embassy and posing as a diplomat from the fictitious country of 'West Arctica.' The accused, Harsh Vardhan Jain, a resident of Kavi Nagar, was taken into custody on Tuesday by Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF). According to officials, Jain was allegedly operating as a broker, deceiving individuals and companies with false promises of overseas job placements. Read full story Gujarat ATS nabs 4 suspected AQIS terrorists; details awaited The Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested four suspected terrorists with alleged ties to al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), officials said. ATS DIG Sunil Joshi confirmed the arrests, adding that more details regarding the module and its operations will be disclosed in an upcoming press conference. Read full story IND vs ENG: Rahul, Jaiswal steady as Carse applies pressure with varied pace Brydon Carse gives away just 5 runs in the 20th over. KL Rahul, batting fluently, collects three runs with a flick through midwicket, prompting a sharp diving effort from Jofra Archer near the boundary. Yashasvi Jaiswal, on 19 from 56 balls, has a close call when a top-edged pull lands short of fine leg. Carse varies his lengths well, using short balls and surface movement to trouble the batters, but Rahul and Jaiswal maintain composure to build a solid opening stand. Follow live updates
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Big Win For India: U.S. Labels Lashkar Proxy TRF As ‘Foreign Terrorist Organisation'
The United States has officially designated The Resistance Front (TRF), the group behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the decision, emphasizing Washington's firm stance on counterterrorism. India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also called for global unity against terrorism during the SCO meeting in Tianjin. The UN Security Council has condemned the attack, while India vows to hold the perpetrators accountable.#PahalgamAttack #TRF #USCounterTerrorism #IndiaFightsTerror #SCO2025 #UNCondemnsTerror #JusticeForVictims #GlobalSecurity Read More
India Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Committed to ceasefire but...: What Pak Minister said on relations with neighbours
Pakistan Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, on Tuesday sought a relationship of peace and stability with all neighbours, including India, saying disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and an address at the Shangai Cooperation Organisation's (SCO) foreign ministers meeting in the Chinese city, Dar said the last three months have witnessed "extremely disturbing developments" in South is most unfortunate that the attribution of the Pahalgam Attack to Pakistan — without a credible investigation or verifiable evidence — brought the two nuclear-armed states to the brink of a major conflict," he said. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 and Pakistan reached an understanding on May 10 to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.'Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the ceasefire and the cultivation of a stable regional equilibrium. However, we cannot accept that the arbitrary use of force is normalised," Dar said."We believe that disputes and differences are resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, instead of conflict and coercion," he added."In that backdrop, initiation of a comprehensive and structured dialogue can meaningfully address the full spectrum of issues that have long bedevilled peace and security in South Asia. Strict adherence to bilateral agreements would be equally important in this regard,' said Dar, who also holds the portfolio of deputy prime said the events unfolding in the region since the April 22 attack in Pahalgam "reaffirmed a central truth of South Asian geopolitics: the peaceful settlement of longstanding unresolved disputes was imperative for an enduring peace in the region."'Terrorism is the common concern of humanity that threatens global security. All forms of terrorism, including state terrorism, are condemnable. We must shun the use of terrorism for political purposes and combat this menace through a cooperative approach, including addressing its root causes,' he foreign minister also slammed last month's attacks by Israel and the US on Iran, saying it was 'unacceptable."He further said Israel has shown a reckless disregard for international norms and humanity through its relentless and disproportionate use of force in Gaza, resulting in the death of tens of thousands of civilians, causing the worst humanitarian crisis in Gaza."We call for an immediate halt to Israel's atrocities. The only viable remedy to the Palestine dispute is the realisation of a two-state solution which includes the establishment of Palestine as a viable, secure and contiguous state on the basis of pre-1967 borders with Al Quds as its capital," he said Pakistan is increasingly concerned at the trend of using aggression as a tool of policy. He called for the resolution of longstanding disputes through peaceful means, dialogue, diplomacy and according to the principles of international law, justice and fairness.'We need to take concrete steps within the existing SCO's mechanisms for trade and development and promote the use of national currencies for mutual settlement within the SCO region to avoid international financial shocks," he also called on the SCO members to collectively address the existential threat of climate change, saying that at a time when the global order is experiencing profound challenges, SCO has emerged as a stabilising force.'In our pursuit of peace and security, we believe in non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, non-use of force or threat of its use in international relations, as well as seeking no unilateral military superiority in the region,' he the meeting, Dar, in a post on X said: 'At the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting today, we reaffirmed our shared commitment to multilateralism, mutual respect and regional stability. The Shanghai Spirit continues to guide us towards dialogue, mutual trust and the pursuit of a more just and inclusive international order.'The SCO comprises 10 member states, namely China, Russia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus. China currently holds the rotating presidency of the SCO.- EndsTune InMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Pakistan#India-Pakistan#SCO Summit#Operation Sindoor
