By Imran Nasir 

ISLAMABAD - In a stunning press conference that has sent shockwaves across the region, Pakistan’s military on Thursday presented before the media a retired soldier whom India claimed to have “neutralised” as a terrorist in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) - proving that he is alive, well, and living in Rawalpindi.

The controversy centres on Havildar Muhammad Asif, a retired member of Pakistan’s elite Special Services Group (SSG), whom Indian authorities and media identified as “Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa” - allegedly a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander killed in an encounter in the Korag-Yousmarg area of Budgam district on September 29.

Indian news agency ANI published a detailed profile claiming Asif was born on March 7, 1980, joined the Pakistan Army in 2000 under service number PA-3106947, served with 4 Commando “Yalgar” Battalion, and retired as a Havildar before allegedly joining LeT. India’s Ministry of Home Affairs and Press Information Bureau echoed these claims, describing the “neutralisation” as part of “Operation Sheruwali”.

Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry opened his press conference by promising to discuss “another false-flag” operation. He then walked through a five-point timeline showing how India’s narrative evolved - from an unidentified militant, to a named LeT commander, to a former Pakistani SSG soldier - within hours.

Then he called Asif to the podium.

“So here is that superman. You can see this superman,” Lt Gen Chaudhry quipped. “Please, come, my brother. Tell us about these achievements of yours”.

- ‘I Was Surprised… Who Martyred Me?’

Speaking before the media, a calm and composed Muhammad Asif recounted how friends called him on September 30 to tell him Indian media were reporting his death in Kashmir.

“To their concerns, I responded that I was here, alive and healthy,” Asif said.

“I was surprised by whatever was happening as I was sitting in my home,” he added. “Who martyred me?”

Asif said he began receiving calls from Indian numbers asking for his personal information and whereabouts. He blocked the numbers and informed his former unit, which directed him to ISPR officials.

Asif confirmed he joined the Pakistan Army in 2000, was inducted into the SSG in 2005, served for 18 years, and retired in 2023. He currently works for a private security company and lives with his family in Rawalpindi.

“I served my country with courage and I remain ready to serve it whenever needed,” he said. “I strongly condemn India’s baseless and fabricated allegations”.

India had claimed Asif was involved in a string of major attacks in IIOJK, including the Halan attack (2023), DKG ambush (2023), Reasi bus attack (2024), and the Pahalgam attack (April 2025). Pakistan has consistently rejected such claims as unsubstantiated.

DG ISPR Chaudhry declared India is “the biggest sponsor of terrorism and a terrorist state in the world”. He said India staged such dramas to “cover its own track of terrorism” and deflect attention from its oppression in IIOJK.

“After this press conference, the shameful characters will have at least the shame to delete this,” he remarked.

He warned that Pakistan was prepared to counter any Indian “drama” and that Islamabad’s response would be “very painful” if New Delhi chose to escalate.

“We are ready to counter any move of the enemy,” he said. “There will be no compromise on national security”.

The episode recalls a familiar pattern. India has previously made allegations linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack and other incidents, often without substantiation and never presented any proof of Pakistan involvement in any attack in Kashmir or India.

In the aftermath of the May 2025 conflict, Indian media faced widespread criticism for airing fake news and inflammatory content.

Asif’s public appearance - alive and standing before dozens of journalists - represents a significant embarrassment for India’s information apparatus and raises fresh questions about the credibility of its claims regarding operations in IIOJK.

“I am alive and present before you,” Asif said simply. “By the grace of God, I am here”.

*This is a developing story. The South Asia Times will provide updates as more information becomes available.