Operation Mahadev: Counter‑Terror Sweep in the Dachigam Forests
On 28 July 2025, Indian security forces—including the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, Para Special Forces, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police—launched Operation Mahadev in the Harwan‑Dachigam forest area near Srinagar.
Terrorists Neutralised and Mastermind Identified
The operation successfully neutralized three terrorists: Suleiman Shah alias Hashim Musa, identified as the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, along with two associates—often named as Afghan and Jibran or Abu Hamza and Yasir in different reports. Security sources confirmed all three had direct links to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists.
Weapons Recovered and Forensic Evidence
Recovered from the encounter site were two AK‑47 variants and an American M4 carbine, weapons confirmed through forensic ballistic analysis to match those used in the Pahalgam massacre.
Political Reaction and Strategic Significance
On 29 July 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah addressed Parliament (Lok Sabha), confirming the terrorists’ Pakistani origin and linking them directly to the Pahalgam attack.
Summary
Operation Mahadev demonstrates effective intelligence-driven counterterrorism, involving precise tracking, swift tactical execution, and forensic confirmation.
