New Delhi, July 29 –
Operation Mahadev Eliminates Pahalgam Attackers
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament today that all three terrorists involved in the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region were neutralised in a joint security operation named Operation Mahadev. The action, conducted on July 28, involved the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, and was based on weeks of intelligence gathering and coordinated surveillance.
Addressing the Lok Sabha during the ongoing debate on Operation Sindoor, Shah named the slain terrorists as Suleiman, Afghan, and Gibran. According to Shah, all three were high-ranking operatives of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, with Suleiman identified as a top commander. He described the successful operation as a result of persistent intelligence efforts, forensic analysis, and the dedication of security personnel.
“I want to inform this House and the nation that the terrorists who murdered innocent citizens in Baisaran Valley are no longer alive. The forces tracked them down and eliminated them,” Shah said, receiving applause from BJP members.
Detailed Planning Behind the Operation
Shah elaborated on the timeline leading up to the operation. Following the brutal attack on April 22 that claimed 26 lives in Pahalgam, intelligence agencies launched an extensive manhunt. The Home Minister said he personally visited Srinagar just hours after the attack, where he chaired two high-level security review meetings—one the same night and another the following morning.
“The Intelligence Bureau received actionable human intelligence on May 22, indicating the presence of the same terrorists near Dachigam, not far from Srinagar. Security forces then deployed advanced equipment to intercept communication and confirm their identities,” Shah said.
Once their presence was established, a well-coordinated operation was launched on July 22. Over the next few days, security forces engaged the terrorists in a series of encounters, ultimately killing all three on July 28.
Forensic Confirmation and Ballistic Evidence
To dispel any doubts over the identities of those killed, Shah presented compelling forensic and ballistic evidence. He noted that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) had earlier apprehended individuals who had provided shelter to the attackers. These individuals positively identified the bodies when they were brought to Srinagar.
Further, ballistic tests were conducted to establish a direct link between the weapons seized during Operation Mahadev and the ammunition used in the April 22 attack.
“We recovered three rifles—an M9 and two AK-47s. These were flown to Chandigarh, where ballistic experts fired rounds and compared the shells with those collected at the Pahalgam site. The match was confirmed by six forensic scientists. I personally received confirmation from them via video call,” Shah stated. “There is no room for doubt—these weapons were used to murder our citizens.”
Political Message and Criticism of Opposition
In a strongly worded address, Shah also took aim at the Opposition for what he described as a lack of support and acknowledgment of the operation’s success. “I had hoped this House would celebrate the fact that the murderers of our people have been brought to justice. But look at their faces—there is no joy, only gloom. What kind of politics is this?” he asked.
Shah credited the success of the operation to the broader counter-terrorism strategy implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “We not only eliminated the foot soldiers of terror but also their masters during Operation Sindoor. Now those who carried out the Pahalgam massacre have met the same fate,” he declared.
A Clear Message Against Terror
Operation Mahadev, as described by the Home Minister, is being hailed as a major success in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. The elimination of the three high-profile terrorists not only avenges the deaths of 26 civilians in Pahalgam but also serves as a clear warning to terror groups operating in the region.
With forensic proof, confirmed identities, and successful field coordination among agencies, the government believes this operation sends a decisive message—those who attack innocent civilians will face swift and certain retribution
