Indian authorities and media recently claimed that Havaldar Muhammad Asif, aka Hashim Musa, was killed in an encounter in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
However, it turned out that it was part of another false-flag operation, as Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Thursday produced before the media Havaldar Asif — a retired commando of the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG).
So, who is Asif?
Speaking alongside the military’s spokesperson during the press conference, Asif said that he is a resident of Tehsil Pindigheb, Attock District.
“Yesterday evening, I received phone calls from friends informing me that Indian media and social media platforms were reporting that the Indian Army had killed me in an encounter in Kashmir. They asked me where I was. I told them that I was alive and well, sitting at home, Alhamdulillah.”
Soon after, he said he started receiving calls from unknown Indian numbers inquiring about his personal details and asking whether he was related to the person mentioned in the news.
“I repeatedly blocked those numbers. Shortly afterwards, I saw news broadcasts showing my photograph and personal military record, claiming that I had been martyred in Kashmir,” the ex-SSG commando further said.
“I was utterly astonished. I was sitting at home, yet they were claiming to have killed me in Kashmir,” he added.
Asif said he immediately informed his former unit leadership to clarify that he was safe and at home, so that no false impressions or accusations could be created. “They advised me to block the calls and informed me that the ISPR would contact me to present the truth.”
He added: “When the ISPR reached out and asked about the situation, I confirmed that I was alive. They requested me to come forward and state the facts publicly.”
To provide his background, Asif said that he enlisted in the Pakistan Army’s Artillery Corps in 2000. In 2005, he said that he joined the SSG.
“I served with honour and dedication for 18 years before retiring in 2023. Following my retirement, I worked for three years with a private security firm. For the past few months, I have been fully retired and running my own small business at home.
“The allegations made by India against me and my country — claiming that I was involved in cross-border terrorism — are entirely false, fabricated, and baseless. I strongly condemn these lies propagated by the Indian media.
“Alhamdulillah, I am alive and standing before you today. There is no doubt about my identity. I have my official CNIC and military identity documents with me.”
Asif added that throughout his service in the SSG, he was trained to fight face-to-face with valour, not from behind cover or through deceit.
“I have always been ready to defend my motherland, and I remain ready today. My life belongs to this nation. Thank you!”
