A joint anti-terror operation — Operation Mahadev — by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF in the Dachigam-Harwan belt near Srinagar led to the neutralisation of three Pakistani terrorists on Monday, including Hashim Musa alias Suleiman, the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives on April 22.
According to intelligence sources, Musa was a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist backed by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and was one of the most wanted militants operating in the Kashmir Valley. His elimination marks a significant success for security forces amid an ongoing campaign to dismantle cross-border terror infrastructure.
The operation began Monday morning after security forces, acting on inputs, launched a massive search in the Mulnar area of Harwan, close to Dachigam National Park, about 20 km from Srinagar. Contact was established with the terrorists, leading to an intense firefight. The Army confirmed that three terrorists were neutralised, though identification is underway.
“#OperationMahadev is still continuing. As per the initial reports, three bodies have been observed and seem to be neutralised. It will take us some time for identification, and parties are still inside,” said IGP Kashmir Zone Vidhi Kumar Birdi.
The Army’s Chinar Corps stated: “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues,” and added that additional reinforcements and drones have been deployed to aid the search.
Earlier in the day, Chinar Corps posted on X, “OP MAHADEV – Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Operation in progress.”
The three slain terrorists are believed to be Pakistani nationals affiliated with LeT, said SSP Srinagar. While intelligence had indicated that the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack may have shifted base to the Dachigam region, it has yet to be officially confirmed if all three were directly involved in that incident.
Press conference postponed
A joint press briefing by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF, initially scheduled for 5:00 PM on Monday in Srinagar, has been rescheduled to 9:30 AM on Tuesday, due to new developments in the ongoing operation.
