Pakistani Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev

Three Pakistani terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind the deadly Pahalgam attack, were killed in a major security operation named Operation Mahadev near Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation was launched by the Indian Army's Chinar Corps, with active coordination from the J&K Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It took place in the rugged Dachigam forest areas near Lidwas and Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Operation Mahadev was triggered by intelligence inputs over nearly two weeks, including the detection of a suspicious Chinese satellite phone active in the Baisaran area on July 11, 2025. This led to combined efforts by multiple elite units, including the 4 Para and 24 Rashtriya Rifles, who searched the forest terrain extensively. Local nomads also provided crucial details helping to locate the terrorist hideout.

The encounter happened unexpectedly when the terrorists were found resting inside a tent. The 4 Para operatives engaged swiftly and eliminated all three terrorists within a short firefight. Among the slain was Hashim Musa, also known by the alias Abu Suleiman or Suleiman Shah, identified as the top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and the key conspirator behind the Pahalgam attacks. The other two killed are suspected to be Yasir and Hamza, also called Harris. Hashim Musa was known to have undergone physical changes, possibly to avoid detection.

The Pahalgam attack, which occurred roughly three months prior to this operation, had claimed 26 innocent lives, mostly tourists. It was a highly coordinated terror strike executed by Pakistani terrorists under the guidance of the intelligence agency ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba. Suleiman Shah, a former special forces commando of the Pakistan Army’s elite unit—Special Service Group (SSG)—had reportedly trained terrorists and led the attack squad. This operation is considered a significant success, as it neutralized one of the most dangerous terror operatives responsible for heinous violence in Kashmir.

This operation highlights the ongoing challenge faced by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, where terrorists exploit difficult terrain and local support networks to evade capture. While the elimination of high-value targets disrupts terror modules, it also signals the continuous threat and complexity of counter-terrorism efforts in the region. Intelligence gathering, including from local sources, and fast action by specialized forces have proved critical in this success.

From a broader perspective, such anti-terror operations are essential to maintaining peace and security in the region. However, they also reflect the ongoing conflict dynamics between India and Pakistan, where terrorism remains a central point of tension. It's important to see these events with a neutral lens, understanding that civilians often bear the greatest brunt of violence in such conflicts. Sustainable peace requires addressing.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies