Daijiworld Media Network – Srinagar
Srinagar, July 28: In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, security forces on Sunday eliminated three Pakistani terrorists in a joint operation near Srinagar, including Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 civilians dead.
The encounter, part of a high-level mission named Operation Mahadev, involved the Indian Army, CRPF, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Among those killed were Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Moosa, a former Pakistan Army soldier and a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative.
Two others, Abu Hamza and Yasir, were also neutralised. Yasir is also believed to have played a key role in the Pahalgam massacre.
Security forces confirmed that the operation was launched in the Mulnar area of Harwan, following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of high-value terrorist operatives. Reinforcements were quickly dispatched to the encounter site, and combing operations remain ongoing.
Suleiman Shah had been on the radar of Indian agencies for months. After the horrific Baisaran Valley attack, the Jammu and Kashmir police had announced a Rs 20 lac reward for actionable information leading to his capture. His death is being seen as a significant blow to cross-border terror activities in the region.
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, via its official X account, announced: “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.” Officials noted that the operation is not yet complete, as forces continue to search for possible additional threats or evidence in the area.
Visuals of the targeted terrorist hideout, located deep inside a forested zone, reveal a stockpile of weaponry. Recovered items include AK-47 and Carbine rifles, 17 rifle grenades, and other arms and ammunition, which sources say could have been intended for a major terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir.
All three individuals killed were classified as high-value targets by intelligence agencies, given their operational roles and backgrounds. The swift and decisive nature of the encounter has been welcomed by security officials, particularly as it occurred while Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was opening the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament.
Security agencies continue to monitor the region, and the possibility of more operatives being present in nearby areas has not been ruled out.
A full forensic analysis of the weapons and the site is underway, and further details are expected as the operation concludes.