Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed in Srinagar Gunfight

Three terrorists, including Pahalgam attack mastermind Suleiman Shah, were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Srinagar's Harwan region. Dubbed Operation Mahadev, the mission targeted militants hiding in dense forest terrain. A suspected terror aide was also arrested in Kupwara with weapons, marking a major counter-terror success.

In a significant breakthrough against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces eliminated three militants during a fierce encounter in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park in Srinagar on Monday. Among those killed was Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives earlier this year.

The operation, dubbed "Operation Mahadev," began early Monday following intelligence inputs suggesting the presence of high-value terror operatives in the dense forest region between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges. The elite para commandos of the Indian Army launched a combing operation in the Lidwas area, where they came under heavy fire from militants.

A gunbattle ensued, resulting in the deaths of three terrorists. Suleiman Shah, also known by his alias Hashim Moosa, had previously served in the Pakistan Army and was a key figure in cross-border terror planning. His involvement in the April attack on tourists in Pahalgam made him one of the most wanted individuals in the region.

Another slain terrorist, identified as Jibran, was linked to a 2024 attack on the Sonamarg Tunnel project in Gagangir. The identity of the third militant is yet to be officially confirmed. While sources confirmed Shah’s death, the Jammu and Kashmir Police stated that the operation was still ongoing and an official confirmation would follow.

In a related development, security forces apprehended Wali Mohd Mir, a suspected terror associate, during a joint cordon and search operation in Kupwara’s Kralpora area. A significant cache of arms, including an AK-56 rifle, was recovered from him.

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This coordinated offensive marks a major success for counter-terror efforts in the Valley, signaling intensified crackdowns on cross-border militancy.