Srinagar | September 30, 2026
A Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist identified by security officials as Sulaiman Shah alias Musa was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Budgam district, officials said.
The encounter took place in the higher reaches of central Kashmir during Operation Korag, a joint operation involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
Encounter in Yousmarg Area
Security forces launched a search operation in the Korag area near Yousmarg after receiving specific intelligence inputs about suspected terrorist movement.
According to the Army’s Chinar Corps, troops detected suspicious activity and challenged the suspected terrorists. The militants opened fire, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which one terrorist was killed.
The operation continued into Wednesday morning, when security forces recovered the body along with war-like stores in the Palmaidan area.
Identity Confirmed by Officials
The Army’s initial statement did not identify the slain terrorist. Subsequent reports citing security officials identified him as Sulaiman Shah, also known as Musa or Hashim Moosa. Some reports also refer to him as Fauzi Musa.
Officials said Musa was a Pakistan-based LeT terrorist who had been wanted in connection with several attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and areas on both sides of the Pir Panjal range.
Earlier Encounter in September
The latest operation followed an earlier encounter in the Yousmarg hills on September 5, when Musa reportedly escaped while his close associate Yasir was killed.
Security forces subsequently continued operations and searches in the forested areas around Yousmarg and Dudhpathri, according to reports.
Security Operation Continues
The Army, J&K Police and CRPF continued search operations in the area following the encounter. Officials said further details about the recovered material and the wider operation were expected.
The latest encounter highlights the continued security operations in the forested and mountainous areas of central Kashmir, where authorities have been tracking suspected militant movements.
