Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed in Operation Mahadev, Say Security Sources

 In a significant counter-terror success, Indian security forces have neutralized three heavily armed foreign terrorists in an operation codenamed Operation Mahadev near Srinagar. Among the slain was reportedly Suleiman Shah, alias Hashim Musa or Musa Fauji, believed to be the key planner behind the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives, mostly tourists.

Security agencies had been tracking the movement of suspected terrorists for nearly two weeks, relying on intercepted communications and local intelligence. The operation, carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF, unfolded in the Lidwas region near the Mahadev peak — a forested area between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridgelines.

During the gunfight, the three militants, believed to be affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, were found resting at a hideout and were swiftly engaged by forces. According to sources, the terrorists were heavily armed, carrying assault rifles including AK-47s, an M4 carbine, and at least 17 grenades. The recovered weapons and tactical gear further suggested they were foreign-trained operatives.

One of the deceased, Suleiman Shah, had a ₹20 lakh bounty on his head. Investigators believe he played a pivotal role in orchestrating the Baisaran Valley massacre, where tourists were deliberately targeted to spread fear and disrupt peace efforts in the Kashmir Valley. Shah is also suspected to have served previously as a commando in Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group.

Security officials noted that while formal identification of the deceased is underway, preliminary intelligence strongly links all three to the Pahalgam incident. Their elimination is being seen as a major blow to cross-border terrorism and a boost to India’s intelligence-led counterterrorism framework.

Operation Mahadev highlights the sustained vigilance and coordination among India’s security agencies in tackling high-profile threats. It also sends a strong signal to terror outfits operating from across the border that those responsible for attacks on civilians will be relentlessly pursued and neutralized. Efforts are ongoing to dismantle any remaining modules linked to the Pahalgam attackers.