By Sumayya
Indian authorities and media recently claimed that Havaldar Muhammad Asif, also known as Hashim Musa, was killed in a fight in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
However, it turned out that this was just another fake story, as Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Thursday brought Havaldar Asif—a retired soldier from the Pakistan Army’s Special Services Group (SSG)—right in front of the media.
So, who is Asif?
Speaking next to the military spokesperson at the press meeting, Asif said that he lives in Tehsil Pindigheb in the Attock District.
“Yesterday evening, my friends called me to say that Indian TV and internet pages were reporting that the Indian Army had killed me in a fight in Kashmir. They asked me where I was. I told them that I was alive and perfectly fine, sitting at home, Alhamdulillah.” Soon after, he said he started getting calls from unknown Indian numbers asking for his personal details and trying to find out if he was related to the person in the news.
“I kept blocking those numbers. A short time later, I saw news channels showing my picture and my personal army file, claiming that I had been killed in Kashmir,” the former SSG commando added.
“I was completely shocked. I was sitting at home, yet they were telling everyone that they had killed me in Kashmir,” he noted. Asif said he quickly told his former army unit leaders that he was safe at home so that no false stories or blame could be made. “They told me to block the calls and said the ISPR would contact me to show the real truth.”
He added: “When the ISPR called and asked about the matter, I told them I was alive. They asked me to come forward and tell the true facts to the public.”
Sharing his background, Asif said that he joined the Pakistan Army’s Artillery Corps in the year 2000. In 2005, he joined the special SSG unit.
“I served with honor and hard work for 18 years before retiring in 2023. After my retirement, I worked for three years with a private security company. For the past few months, I have been fully retired and running my own small business from my home.
“The claims made by India against me and my country—saying that I was involved in crossing the border for terrorism—are completely fake, made-up, and groundless. I strongly speak out against these lies spread by the Indian media.
“Alhamdulillah, I am alive and standing before you today. There is no doubt about who I am. I have my official CNIC card and my army identity papers right here with me.”
Asif added that during his entire time serving in the SSG, he was trained to fight face-to-face with bravery, not by hiding or using tricks.
“I have always been ready to protect my homeland, and I am still ready today. My life belongs to this nation. Thank you!”
