New Delhi: Hashim Musa, identified as the mastermind behind the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam, is believed to have received elite para-commando training in Pakistan, reports quoting sources claimed.
According to reports, Musa, likely to be in his late 20s, is reportedly a former soldier who infiltrated Indian territory through the Kathua and Samba sectors. Reports also claimed that he became active in the Dera Ki Gali area of Rajouri-Poonch after infiltration. It is believed that in this area his Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) module has been orchestrating numerous attacks on security forces over the past year.
Pakistani para-commandos, particularly those trained by the Special Services Group (SSG), are renowned for their expertise in unconventional warfare tactics and combat in the tough mountainous terrains. They are made to train in high-endurance operations, and close-quarters battle (CQB). They are also taught to navigate through difficult terrain, and in advanced evasion techniques. Reports claimed that symbols of such operations were reflected in Musa’s operations.
The terrorists had successfully evaded police and army patrols. They had refrained from approaching villages for food, unlike past infiltrators. It was during such times when the security forces could often neutralize the terrorists quickly due to fatigue and their reliance on local support.
This fact again indicates, as experts opine, that they may have got professional military training. Also, they were reportedly trained in the use of advanced weaponry, including M4 carbines, during the Pahalgam attack. These weapons require specialised handling and maintenance skills.
