Indian security forces delivered a decisive blow to cross-border militancy today by killing three terrorists believed to be key operatives behind the brutal April 22 Pahalgam massacre. The joint counter-terrorism operation, codenamed “Operation Mahadev,” unfolded in the Lidwas area near Srinagar and involved coordinated action by the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Operation Mahadev: Neutralizing High-value Targets
The encounter, timed closely with a heated parliamentary debate on India’s broader counter-terror response (Operation Sindoor), resulted in the deaths of three Pakistani nationals with ties to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a UN-designated terror group. Chief among the dead was Suleman Shah, alias Hashim Moosa, identified as the mastermind behind the April attack that targeted Hindu tourists and left 26 people—most of them newlyweds—dead in a carefully planned shooting in Baisaran Valley.
Suleman, a former Pakistan Army para-commando, had been the subject of an extensive manhunt involving a ₹20 lakh reward for actionable intelligence. He was killed alongside two accomplices, Abu Hamza and Yasir, both foreign operatives and known LeT associates. Security sources suggest this trio’s elimination may deal a tactical setback to militant infiltration from across the Line of Control.
Political Fallout and Cross-party Reactions
The killings reignited sharp political debate. Union leaders, led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and BJP President J.P. Nadda, hailed the operation as evidence of India’s “zero-tolerance policy on terrorism” and emphasised that all those involved in the heinous attacks will be hunted down relentlessly. “Prime Minister Modi is personally monitoring every aspect. This is a message that India will not forgive terror against innocents,” said Nadda.
Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge echoed national unity in condemning the Pahalgam attack which they called a “blot on humanity.” Gandhi stated, “The death of tourists in such a cowardly act is heartbreaking—the country stands united against terrorism.”
At the same time, opposition figures like Congress MP Pramod Tiwari and ex-home minister P. Chidambaram called for greater transparency from the government. Tiwari demanded answers on the slow progress in previous months: “We want to know where those terrorists are and why the government failed [to catch them sooner].” Chidambaram criticized what he described as “a lack of clear, official information” and speculated about tactical failures during initial search operations.
International and Regional Impact
The April attack had significantly heightened India-Pakistan tensions, leading to diplomatic expulsions, suspension of trade, and military skirmishes along the border. Today’s successful encounter has been projected by Indian media and political leadership as a demonstration of resolve in the face of continued cross-border provocations.
Security analysts suggest that removing high-ranking operatives like Suleman Shah may not spell an end to terrorist activity, but it curtails coordination capacity, disrupts networks, and delivers a psychological blow to militant backers. Local communities and victims’ families have welcomed the operation, though calls continue for deeper reforms in intelligence gathering and rapid interdiction capacity.
