Operation Mahadev: In a significant breakthrough over three months after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, three suspected Pakistani terrorists believed to be responsible for the massacre were gunned down in Srinagar during a joint security operation named Operation Mahadev, according to sources.
The encounter unfolded in the general area of Lidwas near Mount Mahadev, following specific intelligence inputs on the presence of foreign militants. Acting swiftly, a coordinated team from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF launched the counter-insurgency operation.
“After a brief exchange of fire, the terrorists were successfully neutralised,” a source familiar with the development said.
Terrorists Tracked Using Intel and Local Inputs
Sources revealed that two days prior to the encounter, the Army intercepted suspicious communications emanating from the jungles of Dachigam. This was corroborated by local nomads in the area, who also alerted authorities about the presence of armed individuals. Based on this, security forces zeroed in on the suspects.
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The successful operation coincided with the Parliament’s scheduled discussion on the Pahalgam attack and the government’s counter-response under Operation Sindoor. The opposition has been critical of the delay in bringing the perpetrators to justice.
The attack, which took place in April in the serene Baisaran Valley—often dubbed “mini Switzerland” for its scenic beauty—was one of the deadliest in recent Kashmir history. The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility.
Investigators said the assailants, disguised as civilians, targeted male picnickers, specifically identifying and executing non-Muslims, making the carnage even more chilling.
