New Delhi: In a major counter-terror operation, Indian security forces gunned down three Pakistani terrorists in the Lidwas forest area near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar. Codenamed “Operation Mahadev,” the mission was launched after intelligence inputs and technical surveillance indicated movement of terrorists believed to be behind the recent Pahalgam attack.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, speaking during the Monsoon Session of Parliament, confirmed the deaths of all three terrorists and named them as Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran. “In a joint Operation Mahadev, the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police have neutralised three terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. Innocent civilians were killed in front of their families by asking their religion. I condemn this barbaric act. I express my sympathies to the families who lost their loved ones,” he said.
Shah identified Suleiman as the mastermind of the Pahalgam killings. “All three terrorists - Suleman, Afghan and Jibran were killed in yesterday's operation. While Suleman was an A-category commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Afghani was also an A-category Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, Jibran too was a notorious and wanted terrorist. All these three terrorists involved in the killing of our citizens at Baisaran valley in Pahalgam have now been eliminated,” Shah stated.
The encounter began around 11 am on Monday when units of the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para Regiment spotted movement in the Mulnar region near Harwan. A fierce gunfight followed, resulting in the deaths of the three heavily armed terrorists. Among the weapons recovered were an M4 carbine, two AK rifles, and other war-like stores, suggesting plans for a major strike.
Jibran, one of the slain militants, was also linked to the 2023 Sonamarg Tunnel attack that killed seven people, including a doctor. According to Srinagar SSP GV Sundeep Chakravarty, all three were foreign nationals from Pakistan and affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. While their involvement in the Pahalgam attack is strongly suspected, he said conclusive forensic identification is underway.
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) VK Birdi described the engagement as a “long-drawn operation” and confirmed the recovery of three bodies. Intelligence officials revealed that Operation Mahadev is part of a wider strategy aimed at dismantling foreign terror modules and sleeper cells operating in the Valley.
The Pahalgam attack, which took place in the scenic Baisaran valley, left 26 people dead. Investigations revealed the attackers targeted civilians based on their religion. Shah said the terrorists’ identities were confirmed by those previously arrested by the NIA, who recognised the bodies and confirmed their role in the massacre.
Security agencies believe Operation Mahadev has dealt a serious blow to Lashkar’s operations in the region.
BI Bureau
