Investigations into the latest terrorist strikes in Pahalgam confirm that Hashim Musa, a Pakistani national, and former para commando was the mastermind behind the attacks on April 22nd. As stated by officials, Musa who currently works as an operative for the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba has planned the deadly attack that killed 26 civilians, including 25 tourists, in the Baisaran area of the Kashmir Valley.

The identity of Hashim Musa and his previous background was revealed during the ongoing investigation spearheaded by Indian security agencies. Sources confirmed to The Times of India that Musa had served in the elite Special Services Group (SSG) of Pakistan which specialises in guerrilla warfare, survival tactics and covert operations. “It is possible that he was loaned by the Pakistan special forces like the Special Service Group (SSG) to the LeT,” a security officer said.

Musa was particularly directed by the LeT leadership to carry out strikes against non-locals and Indian security forces present in Kashmir. His military expertise during his tenure in Pakistan's special forces points significant fingers towards the direct involvement of Pakistan's intelligence agency, the ISI, in the attack.

The breakthrough came following the interrogation of 15 overground workers (OGWs) suspected of helping the attackers. These individuals held in different areas of South Kashmir were believed to have assisted Musa and his team in logistics and hideout arrangements. Their statements confirmed Musa's earlier tie-up with the Pakistan Army and added to the suspicions of ISI's involvement in the attack.

The security forces have stated that the Pahalgam attack was neither isolated nor unprecedented in its brutality. Musa is believed to have been the main character in two other attacks in the Valley: the October 2024 attack in Gagangir, Ganderbal, where six civilians, not from the area, and a doctor were killed, and the Buta Pathri attack, in which two Indian soldiers and two porters lost their lives.

The attack was facilitated by terror networks operating locally.

Security agencies discovered a local support network that played an important role in facilitating the attack. Reports say that other groups were involved in South Kashmir, who sheltered the accused, coordinated the movement of arms and ammunition, and assisted the attackers in scouting and identifying hiding spots for attackers. Local guides played a major role in mapping possible hideouts and escape routes for the perpetrators before and after the attack.

Two jawans had earlier been linked to the Gagangir and Buta Pathri attacks, Junaid Ahmad Bhat and Arbaaz Mir, both trained in Pakistan. Both were captured by Indian forces in late 2024. After their death, it is believed that Musa took over the LeT command and was operating in Kashmir, which resulted in the Pahalgam attack.

Investigators have so far identified four individuals involved in the April 22 attack: Pakistani nationals Hashim Musa and Ali Bhai, and locals Adil Thoker and Asif Shaikh. Interrogations suggest that more Pakistani terrorists may have been involved, and efforts are still going to track them down.

“The search has now been narrowed to a limited area,” as investigators have “reasonably” located where the attackers were positioned, a source told The Times of India.