Op Mahadev: Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Among 3 Terrorists Killed, as Defence Minister Defends Operation Sindoor in Parliament

In a decisive anti-terror operation, Indian security forces eliminated three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, including the mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in the dense forests of Lidwas near Srinagar. The mission, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was launched jointly by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police after weeks of tracking the perpetrators.

This landmark success came as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Lok Sabha during the debate on Operation Sindoor, asserting India’s resolve against terrorism and reinforcing the country’s proactive stance on national security.

The codename “Mahadev” is both tactical and symbolic. It draws inspiration from Mahadev Peak, a prominent landmark near New Theed in Srinagar, part of the Zabarwan Range that overlooks the Lidwas forest, where the encounter took place.

The peak is not only strategically located, offering a surveillance advantage over surrounding areas, but also holds spiritual significance as a site linked to Lord Shiva, who is often revered in the region. Naming the mission after this peak served to underscore both the geographical relevance and the resolute spirit of the forces engaged in the operation.

Among the three terrorists gunned down was Suleman Shah, also known by the alias Hashim Musa, a former operative of the Pakistan Army who later became a top commander in Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence sources confirm he was the mastermind of the Pahalgam massacre, which killed 26 civilians in one of the deadliest attacks in Kashmir this year.

The other two slain militants were:

• Abu Hamza: Believed to be a foreign fighter involved in earlier infiltration missions.
• Yasir: A local associate who provided logistics and movement support to the group.

All three were part of the same Pahalgam module, which had been under surveillance since April. A Rs 20 lakh bounty had been announced for Shah’s capture.

Security agencies launched Operation Mahadev after intercepting credible intelligence about the movement of this terror cell through the Dachigam forest corridor, a well-known infiltration route due to its dense cover and rugged terrain.

The multi-agency operation began in the Mulnar-Harwan sector and subsequently moved into the Lidwas forest, located roughly 20 kilometres from central Srinagar. The terrorists were eventually located in a concealed forest hideout.

Early Monday morning, contact was established. After a brief silence, two sharp bursts of gunfire were heard. Elite troops of the Chinar Corps, supported by CRPF QAT (Quick Action Teams) and the Jammu and Kashmir Police Special Operations Group, moved in swiftly, leading to an intense gun battle.

Within hours, all three terrorists were neutralised.

“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues,” the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed via an official post on X (formerly Twitter).

OP MAHADEV – Update

Three terrorist have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues.#Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/5LToapGKuf

— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) July 28, 2025

Parliament Debate on Operation Sindoor

While ground forces executed the mission, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was defending Operation Sindoor in Parliament, India’s recent cross-border military action.

Dismissing allegations of international pressure halting Sindoor prematurely, Singh said: “To believe that Operation Sindoor was stopped under pressure is baseless and absolutely wrong. None of our important assets were damaged. If the Opposition wants answers, ask how many Pakistani assets were destroyed, not how many of ours were spared.”

The Pahalgam terror attack, executed in broad daylight in the popular Baisaran Valley, had targeted civilians and tourists, resulting in 26 deaths. The gruesome nature of the attack drew condemnation nationwide and renewed calls for an intensified crackdown on foreign-sponsored militancy in Kashmir.

Investigations soon pointed to LeT’s involvement, and Shah (Hashim Musa) emerged as the main conspirator. Intelligence tracked his movements through south Kashmir to Dachigam, setting the stage for Operation Mahadev.

Lidwas: A Known Escape Route

The Lidwas forest, part of the larger Dachigam reserve, is rugged, isolated, and heavily wooded, traits that make it a preferred route for infiltrators trying to avoid detection.

A senior intelligence official noted, “This is not just terrain, it’s a cover story for the terror movement. They have used it for years. The significance of neutralising them here is both tactical and psychological.”

Even after the elimination of these three high-profile terrorists, the larger investigation continues. Agencies are focusing on:

• Identifying any remaining associates or sleeper cells.
• Tracing digital communications and funding networks used by the group.
• Monitoring cross-border channels to intercept future infiltration attempts.

Security forces are also reviewing surveillance coverage in forested belts to plug potential blind spots.

With Operation Mahadev, India has not only avenged one of the year’s worst terror strikes but also reasserted its dominance in the counter-terrorism space.

As Defence Minister Singh put it in Parliament, “India will not tolerate terrorism, across the border or within. Our response will be swift, sharp, and final.”

Team BharatShakti