A Pakistani national and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander identified as Yasir was killed in a joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Ashdar Gali area of Yousmarg, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday, September 5.
The operation, codenamed Operation Ashdar, was launched following intelligence inputs about suspected terrorist movement through the high-altitude forests. The Jammu and Kashmir Police confirmed Yasir’s identity and described him as a Pakistani national affiliated with LeT.
An AK-series rifle and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site. According to officials cited in reports, Yasir had previously been associated with the larger Sulaiman Musa group but had reportedly separated from it around a year ago and was operating independently in the Yousmarg area.
Security agencies are now investigating his associates, communication channels and possible links to recent terror activity in the region, while searches are continuing for other suspected operatives who may have been in the area.
J&K Police Confirms Yasir’s Identity
The identity of the slain terrorist was confirmed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday after the encounter in Budgam. In a post on X, the police identified him as Yasir, a Pakistani national affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, and said, “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide!”
The confirmation came a day after the Army’s Chinar Corps announced that a joint search operation had been launched in the Ashdar Gali area following specific intelligence inputs. Security personnel detected suspicious movement during the operation and challenged the suspected terrorists, who responded by opening fire, triggering an exchange of fire.
One terrorist was killed during the encounter, while an AK-series rifle and other war-like stores were recovered, according to security officials. The operation was conducted jointly by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF.
The location posed considerable operational challenges. The Ashdar Gali area lies in the mountainous and heavily forested terrain above Yousmarg, with routes connecting the Kashmir Valley towards the Pir Panjal region.
Officials cited by The New Indian Express said security forces had tracked the suspected group through high-altitude mountain passes, with the encounter site reportedly located between 12,000 and 15,500 feet. Rain and poor visibility further complicated the search.
Reports also indicated that security forces suspected one or more other terrorists could still be hiding in the area, prompting continued combing operations.
From Musa Group To Independent Cell
Yasir’s reported background has emerged as a key part of the investigation. According to sources cited in recent reports, he was previously associated with the Sulaiman Musa group of LeT but had split from the group nearly a year before his death.
Following the split, he allegedly operated independently and emerged as an important Lashkar commander in the Yousmarg belt. His reported movement through the forests and mountain routes has now prompted security agencies to examine the wider network around him.
Investigators are looking into who may have assisted Yasir, including possible logistical contacts, associates and communication links. They are also examining whether his network was involved in planning or facilitating terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials cited by The New Indian Express have additionally alleged that Yasir was linked to investigations into several attacks in 2024, including the May attack on an Indian Air Force convoy in Poonch, the October attack near the Z-Morh tunnel construction site in Gagangir, and the Bota Pathri attack near Gulmarg later that month.
These links are part of the ongoing investigation and should not be treated as judicially established facts. At the time of those incidents, different terrorists and militant groups were identified or claimed responsibility in initial investigations.
The latest operation therefore gives investigators an opportunity to examine whether Yasir’s alleged connections can be corroborated through intelligence, communications, recovered material and other evidence.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The killing of an armed terrorist during a security operation may bring an immediate tactical outcome, but the larger challenge lies in understanding and dismantling the networks that allow violence to continue. Every terrorist attack ultimately leaves behind more than an operational trail it affects families, communities, security personnel and ordinary people living in regions already carrying the burden of prolonged conflict.
While security forces have a responsibility to protect civilians and maintain public safety, lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir cannot be measured only by the number of encounters or arrests.
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