Srinagar/New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough in India’s counterterrorism operations, the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police have successfully neutralised the Pakistan-backed module responsible for the brutal April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians—mostly tourists, women, and children—were killed in cold blood.
The encounter, code-named Operation Mahadev, was launched after weeks of intelligence gathering and surveillance in the Dachigam–Lidwas forest region near Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar. On July 28, security forces engaged in a fierce firefight that ended with the killing of all three foreign terrorists involved in the massacre, including the key planner and mastermind, Suleiman Saha, also known by multiple aliases—Hashim Musa, Musa Fauji, and Suleiman Shah.
The April 22 Pahalgam Massacre
On April 22, 2025, heavily armed terrorists opened indiscriminate fire at Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, a popular tourist spot in Jammu and Kashmir. Witnesses said the gunmen asked victims to state their religion before executing them. The horrific attack left 26 dead and dozens wounded, drawing comparisons to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks due to its chilling targeting of civilians and high degree of planning.
Mastermind and Planning
Investigations revealed that the assault was planned by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and executed by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives on direct instructions from Islamabad’s military and political leadership. The ISI had instructed Lashkar commander Sajid Jutt to use only foreign operatives, deliberately excluding local Kashmiris to minimise intelligence leaks.
The operation’s mastermind, Suleiman Saha, was a former Pakistani special forces commando who trained at Lashkar’s Muridke headquarters. Along with two other Pakistani nationals—Abu Hamza and Yasir—he infiltrated across the Line of Control in 2022 and operated from the Tral forest region before executing the Pahalgam attack.
The Manhunt and Operation Mahadev
Following the massacre, Indian agencies launched a wide-reaching counterterrorism campaign dubbed Operation Sindoor, targeting dozens of terror camps across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Intelligence inputs, satellite tracking, and human surveillance eventually pinpointed the suspects to the Harwan forest belt.
On July 28, forces launched Operation Mahadev in the Dachigam–Lidwas sector. After encircling the area, a firefight ensued, ending with the elimination of Suleiman, Abu Hamza, and Yasir. Recovered from the site were 17 grenades, one M4 carbine, two AK-47 rifles, and other materials linking the trio directly to the Pahalgam killings.
Two local facilitators—Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar—were earlier arrested for providing logistical support and shelter to the terrorists. Investigators believe these harborers were unaware of the full scope of the plan.
Aftermath and Vigilance
The bodies of the terrorists are undergoing forensic and drone-based identification, cross-verified with arrested collaborators. Security forces have intensified area domination and combing operations in sensitive regions, especially tourist destinations, to prevent further threats.
Government Response
Top officials have praised the swift neutralisation of the attackers. A senior security official said, “Justice has been delivered. The country stands vindicated in its resolve to wipe out cross-border terrorism.”
Summary Table: Key Details
| Event/Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Pahalgam attack | April 22, 2025 |
| Casualties | 26 civilians killed (mostly tourists) |
| Mastermind | Suleiman Saha (Hashim Musa/Musa Fauji) |
| Other key terrorists | Abu Hamza, Yasir |
| Organisation | Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) |
| Backing | Pakistani ISI, political & military leadership |
| Response/Operation | Operation Mahadev (July 28, 2025) |
| Result | All 3 Pakistani terrorists eliminated |
This operation marks one of the most high-profile counter-terror victories in Jammu & Kashmir in recent years, reaffirming India’s commitment to combating terrorism and protecting civilian lives.
