On July 28, 2025, security forces killed three Pakistani terrorists
These terrorists include
Weapons recovered from the hideout matched those used in the Pahalgam attack
In a major breakthrough in the investigation into the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, security forces gunned down three Pakistani terrorists during a high-intensity encounter in Srinagar on Monday, July 28, 2025. Among the slain militants was Suleiman Shah, also known as Musa Fauji or Hashim Moosa, the top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and mastermind behind the deadly attack that claimed 26 civilian lives.
The operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was jointly conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the forces tracked the movement of a Lashkar and Jaish terrorist group for nearly 14 days in the dense jungles of Dachigam near Mount Mahadev, Srinagar.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing the Lok Sabha during the monsoon session, confirmed the identities of the terrorists. He said, “All three terrorists—Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran—were killed in yesterday’s operation.” Their identities were later verified by four individuals, including two suspects already in custody, further solidifying the link to the Pahalgam attack.
Sources said a suspicious satellite communication signal was intercepted earlier in July, leading to the tracking of the terrorists’ movements. Local nomads also provided crucial inputs, confirming their presence in the area. On Monday, around 11:30 am, a joint team comprising 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 PARA detected three foreign terrorists and neutralised them after a brief but intense firefight.
Security sources revealed that the terrorists were "caught napping"—a common tactic of militants who rest intermittently to evade detection. The encounter ended with the elimination of all three high-value targets.
The terrorists killed in the encounter were identified as Suleiman Shah, also known as Musa Fauji or Hashim Moosa, the mastermind and executor of the Pahalgam attack; Abu Hamza, also referred to as Afghan, who is believed to have directly participated in the massacre; and Yasir, alias Jibran, another operative suspected of involvement in the killings.
Security forces recovered 17 rifle grenades, an M4 carbine, and two AK-47 rifles from their hideout located deep inside the forest. According to intelligence reports, the terrorists were planning a major terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir.
The April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack in Baisaran Valley was one of the deadliest terror strikes in Kashmir in recent years. Militants opened fire on tourists picnicking in the area, selectively targeting men and non-Muslims. The attack left 26 civilians dead, including several visitors, and was claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Suleiman Shah, a former Pakistan Army soldier, was the key conspirator and executor of the massacre. Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a ₹20 lakh bounty for information leading to his capture.
Earlier, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had arrested two locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad, for allegedly harbouring the attackers. Their testimonies later helped in identifying the slain terrorists after Monday’s encounter.
Operation Mahadev is being hailed as a major counter-terrorism success for Indian security forces. The operation not only eliminated high-value Lashkar operatives but also delivered a significant blow to Pakistan-backed terrorism in the Valley.
The operation took place between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges, giving the encounter its name. The terrorists were hiding in a forested hideout that had served as their base of operations for several days.
The encounter comes amid heightened tensions following Operation Sindoor, launched by Indian armed forces on May 7, 2025, targeting nine terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The strikes were carried out in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre, which had triggered nationwide outrage.
While the elimination of Suleiman Shah and his associates marks a critical breakthrough, the investigation into the Pahalgam attack is ongoing. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) tests in Chandigarh confirmed that the recovered weapons were used in the April 22 carnage. Agencies are now working to dismantle the remaining support networks of the attackers.
Security forces remain on high alert, with combing operations continuing in the Mulnar area of Harwan near Srinagar, where the encounter occurred. [Rh/VP]