By : TANISHKA VERMA
Introduction
On April 22, 2025, India witnessed one of the most brutal terror attacks in recent years. The serene tourist destination of Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir was turned into a site of horror when armed terrorists killed 26 civilians—only Hindu men—after isolating them based on religion. In a powerful and calculated response, India launched Operation Mahadev, a surgical counter-terror operation aimed at bringing the perpetrators to justice.
Background: Pahalgam Terror Attack
The attack was carried out by five armed terrorists associated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. It took place in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam, targeting innocent tourists. The scale and brutality of the attack shocked the nation and prompted immediate action from security and intelligence agencies.
Intelligence and Preparation
Following the attack, Indian agencies launched a comprehensive intelligence-gathering mission. Signals intelligence, drone surveillance, and human sources indicated that key suspects had taken shelter near Mahadev ridge in the Dachigam forest area, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
Over the next 14 days, coordinated efforts by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence units monitored movements and intercepted communications. By mid-July, actionable intelligence confirmed the presence of the Pahalgam attackers in the area.
Execution of Operation Mahadev
On July 28, 2025, Indian security forces launched Operation Mahadev, named after the Mahadev mountain ridge near the operation zone. Conducted in the Lidwas forest area, the operation involved a swift and stealthy joint assault by Para Commandos and local police units.
In the intense encounter that followed, three PAKISTANI terrorists were eliminated:
• Suleiman Shah alias Hashim Musa, the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack and a former Pakistani special forces operative.
• Hamza, an Afghan national linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
• Jibran alias Yasir, also a trained militant from Pakistan.
Forensic Evidence and Confirmation
After the operation, weapons recovered from the slain terrorists—including one M4 carbine and two AK-47 rifles—were flown overnight to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh. Ballistic tests confirmed that these weapons matched those used in the Pahalgam massacre.
In addition to forensic proof, eyewitness accounts and seized identity documents—including Pakistani voter cards—provided further confirmation of their involvement.
Significance and Impact
The success of Operation Mahadev was widely hailed as a turning point in India’s counter-terror strategy. For the families of the Pahalgam victims, the operation brought a sense of justice and closure. For the security establishment, it demonstrated the strength of India’s intelligence and rapid-response capabilities.
Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation in Parliament, calling it a “clear and just answer to those who believe they can escape justice after killing innocents.” He also linked the mission to Operation Sindoor, India’s earlier cross-border strike on terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, calling both missions part of a coordinated national response.
Conclusion
Operation Mahadev was more than just a counter-terror mission—it was a message. A message that India will pursue justice relentlessly, with precision and without delay. By eliminating the key masterminds behind the Pahalgam attack, the operation reinforced national resolve and sent a strong signal to terror networks operating beyond the border.
Northern Command chief hails troops for Op Mahadev success :
Sources
– [Ministry of Home Affairs, India]
– [India Today, The Hindu, The Print, Times of India]
– [Central Forensic Science Laboratory reports]
– [Eyewitness and media coverage from July 2025]