Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam Terror Attack Mastermind Killed in Srinagar Encounter

Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam Terror Attack Mastermind Killed in Srinagar Encounter

by

Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed in Srinagar Encounter, Security Forces Deliver Justice

In a dramatic turn of events that could reshape the anti-terror efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police jointly carried out a high-stakes counterterrorism mission codenamed Operation Mahadev, resulting in the elimination of Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The encounter took place in the dense forest region near Dachigam National Park, in the Harwan area of Srinagar, where security forces neutralized three high-value terrorists. Among them was Suleiman, also known as Hashim Musa, a former Pakistan Army SSG commando turned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative.

Who Was Suleiman Shah — The Pahalgam Mastermind?

Suleiman Shah infiltrated into India in September 2023 and swiftly emerged as a key player in orchestrating deadly attacks across South Kashmir. A known associate of UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, Suleiman was already under the scanner for multiple operations, including the Sonamarg Tunnel Attack (October 2024) and the Baramulla ambush, where four security personnel were martyred.

After the heinous Baisaran Valley massacre in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced a ₹20 lakh reward for any intel on Suleiman — whose elimination has now marked a major milestone in India’s internal security operations.

How Operation Mahadev Unfolded

Acting on technical and human intelligence, units from the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para (Special Forces) launched the operation early morning on July 28. Signals intercepted included a Chinese encrypted ultra-radio — the same communication line used during the Pahalgam attack.

By 11 AM, contact was established with the terrorist group near the Mulnar forest belt, a rugged zone nestled between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges. What followed was an intense gunfight, lasting several hours, resulting in the neutralization of Suleiman, along with two other terrorists — Jibran (linked to the Sonamarg tunnel attack) and Hamza Afghani.

Weapons and Intelligence Recovered

From the site of the encounter, forces recovered:

  • 1 M4 Carbine
  • 2 AK-47 Rifles
  • 17 Rifle Grenades
  • Additional arms, encrypted communication devices, and survival gear

Authorities believe the group was planning another large-scale strike in the Kashmir Valley.

Operation Mahadev vs. Operation Sindoor: A Two-Pronged Response

Just weeks before this success, Indian forces had executed Operation Sindoor, a precision retaliatory strike on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, specifically targeting nine terror launch pads associated with LeT and JeM. The operation paid tribute to the widows of the Pahalgam attack victims, sending a clear message that India will not remain silent.

Why This Matters — Strategic Victory and Emotional Closure

The death of Suleiman Shah not only delivers strategic justice but also serves as emotional closure for the families of those lost in the Pahalgam massacre. It also reaffirms the Indian Armed Forces’ capability to track, engage, and neutralize threats in difficult mountainous terrains with surgical precision.

Inspector General of Police, V.K. Birdi, described the mission as a “long-drawn but decisive operation.” According to top sources, this is just the beginning of a larger sweep aimed at dismantling sleeper cells across North Kashmir.

Conclusion: Operation Mahadev Sends a Clear Message

From forest hideouts in Kashmir to deep strikes across the border, India is clearly rewriting the rules of counterterror warfare. The success of Operation Mahadev will likely boost intelligence confidence, strengthen civilian morale, and serve as a case study for future high-risk missions.

As peace remains fragile in the valley, one thing is now certain — the days of impunity for cross-border terrorism are numbered.

Leave a Comment