Amidst a charged debate in the Lok Sabha over religious symbolism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the successful culmination of Operation Mahadev. The joint operation neutralised all three terrorists linked to the recent Pahalgam attack, marking a significant counter-terror breakthrough.
In a major breakthrough in the fight against terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that all three terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack have been eliminated under Operation Mahadev. His statement came amid a charged political atmosphere during the ongoing Operation Sindoor row debate, underscoring the Centre’s unwavering focus on national security. The operation, hailed as a swift and strategic success, reflects India’s intensified counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu & Kashmir.
Pahalgam Attack Avenge Complete: Shah Says All 3 Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev Identified via NIA Arrests, Ballistics
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on July 29 informed the Lok Sabha that all three terrorists behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack have been successfully eliminated under Operation Mahadev, a high-precision joint offensive by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The trio — Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran — were gunned down on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday. Their identities were confirmed through a two-layered investigation: four individuals, including two arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), identified the bodies; and ballistic tests conducted by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Chandigarh established that the weapons recovered from them matched those used in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre.
“Those who gave shelter to these terrorists were already arrested by the NIA. The people who fed them were detained. And once their bodies reached Srinagar, those detained confirmed they were the same men involved in the Pahalgam attack,” Shah said during a heated debate in the House, coinciding with discussions on Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory air strikes targeting terror bases in Pakistan and PoK.
The April 22 attack had claimed 26 civilian lives, and Monday’s operation, Shah said, marks a decisive closure in the pursuit of justice for the victims.
What is Operation Mahadev? Decoding the High-Altitude Terror Crackdown Near Dachigam
Operation Mahadev was a meticulously planned high-altitude anti-terror operation launched jointly by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police in the dense Lidwas region near Dachigam National Park, on the outskirts of Srinagar. The mission successfully neutralised three highly wanted terrorists — Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran — linked to the deadly Pahalgam terror attack of April 22, which claimed 26 civilian lives.
The counter-terror operation was based on sustained intelligence efforts over 15 days, beginning July 11, when a Chinese satellite phone was detected in the Baisaran area. The breakthrough came on July 22, when the terrorists’ movement was confirmed. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the Mulnar-Harwan belt, leading to a fierce gunbattle and their eventual elimination.
According to Home Minister Amit Shah, the terrorists were intercepted with the help of precise ground intelligence and terrain tracking by Indian Army and Intelligence Bureau personnel. Their identities were confirmed through visual identification by four witnesses, including two arrested by the NIA. Further forensic confirmation came via ballistic tests conducted at the Chandigarh-based FSL lab, which matched the weapons recovered from the terrorists with those used in the Pahalgam attack.
Operation Mahadev stands as a critical victory in India’s counterterrorism campaign, reinforcing the strength of coordinated intelligence-led security operations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Inside Operation Mahadev: How Forces Tracked Terrorists Through Harwan’s Rugged Terrain
The success of Operation Mahadev lay in precision tracking and terrain mastery. Acting on 15 days of surveillance, forces combed the dense Harwan forests near Dachigam National Park — a known infiltration route for foreign-trained terrorists.
Despite steep slopes and poor visibility, the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police advanced using satellite intel, GPS mapping, and intercepted signals. Their stealth movement blocked all escape routes, leading to a swift and deadly encounter. This terrain-focused operation shows how India’s counter-terror response has evolved to blend tech, timing, and tactical grit.
