ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military says a retired army soldier whom Indian media identified as a militant killed in Indian-administered Kashmir is alive and living in Rawalpindi.
At a press conference on Thursday, Inter-Services Public Relations Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented Havildar Muhammad Asif to reporters. Chaudhry said Indian sources had falsely claimed Asif was killed during an operation in the Korag-Yousmarg area.
According to the ISPR chief, the Indian Army first reported a search operation on the night of September 29, then later said a Lashkar-e-Taiba militant named Mohammad Asif, also known as Hashim Moosa, had been killed. Indian news agency ANI subsequently published details alleging that the man was a former Pakistani Army and Special Services Group soldier.
Chaudhry described the account as fabricated and said it was part of what he called a false-flag operation. He also referred to previous incidents, including Uri, Pahalgam and Pulwama, and said evidence was available to support Pakistan’s position.
Asif told reporters he was at home when he learned online that he had reportedly been killed. He said the news prompted friends to call him and confirm he was safe.
“I am very much alive, I live in Rawalpindi and I am before you,” he said. Asif said he retired from the SSG in 2023 and now works for a security company. He added that he is from Pindi Gheb in Attock district and rejected the allegations against him.
The ISPR chief also accused India of supporting militant groups operating in Pakistan, including the Muttahida Bahini and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. These allegations were presented by the military at the briefing.
