Pahalgam Terrorist Killed by Armed Forces Under Operation Mahadev

In a major boost to anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the security forces have killed all three terrorists involved in the massacre of 26 tourists in Pahalagam, on 22 April 2025. 25 Indian and one Nepali citizen were killed by the terrorists.

The operation code-named “ Operation Mahadev” was launched by the security force after the Pahalagam terror incident to nab or kill the culprits behind the massacre.

The Pahalgam terror attack was claimed by the Pakistan-based The Resistance Front (TRF), which is a front organisation of the banned Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.

In response to the Pahalagam terror attack, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on 6/7 May 2025 to destroy the terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. 

Amit Shah Confirms the Identity of the Pahalgam Terrorist

Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on 29 July 2025 that all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam massacre -  Suleiman, Afghan and Jibran were killed during an encounter in the forested Lidwas area near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar, on 28 July 2025.

Suleiman Shah, a former commando of the Pakistan Army's elite unit - Special Service Group (SSG)  was the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack and all the three terrorists were from Lashkar-e-Taiba and Pakistani nationals.

The Chandigarh-based National Forensic Science Laboratory matched the bullets fired by the terrorist in Pahalgam with the weapon recovered from the slain terrorist. The forensic examination confirmed it was the weapon used in the Pahalagam attack.

About Operation Mahadev

The operation was a joint effort of the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Intelligence agencies. It was conceived and launched after the visit of Home Minister Amit Shah to Kashmir after the Pahalagam attack.

The name of the operation is derived from the mountain peak Mahadev, where the Lindwan areas lie, in which the three terrorists were believed to be holed up.

The Mahadev is the highest peak of the Zabarwan range. It is 3966 metres (13011 feet) high, overlooking the city of Srinagar.

It is also known as the Peak of Srinagar and is almost covered with snow for nearly six months of the year.

It is considered an abode of Lord Shiva and is a sacred pilgrimage centre for the Hindus.

The area is rich in vegetation and is near Dachigam National Park.

Also Read: US Declares Pahalagam Terror Perpetrator TRF a Foreign Terrorist Group