At the start of the operation, the Indian security forces launched ‘Operation Mahadev’ against terrorism when they launched a swift joint operation in the Harwan–Lidwas forest region about 6 kilometers outside Srinagar near Dachigam National Park. They decided to commence Operation Mahadev, after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which killed two dozen tourists, and a local pony wallah. The Pahalgam attack was a wake-up call and shattered the peaceful living in Jammu & Kashmir.
The Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, Para Special Forces, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police were integral parts of the operation plan.
Swift Intelligence and Execution
After weeks of surveillance, a breakthrough came on July 26 with satellite phone intercepts suggesting that the Target was on the move. Drones confirmed the presence of armed militants on the location at 8am on July 28. Special forces moved in and by 10:30 am, a violent firefight was in progress within a safe amount of time. In less than one hour, all three terrorists were neutralized.
Security forces retrieved an M4 carbine, two AK rifles, 17 grenades and other war-like stores, strongly indicating a heavily armed brigade intent on conducting further attacks.
Mastermind Taken Out
The most significant success was taking out Suleiman Shah alias Hashim Musa, allegedly, the mastermind behind the April 22 attack. A Pakistan Army commando and later an operative of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, Shah had a ₹20 lakh bounty on him. The other two militants were identified as Jibran and Abu Hamza (alias Yasir) who are also allegedly involved in a 2024 attack at the Sonamarg tunnel.
National Reaction
Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah welcomed the operation as “good news” and evidence of the capability of the Indian security forces. Many political leaders echoed that such actions give public confidence and act as deterrents to future acts of terrorism.
Nationwide, Aishanya Dwivedi, whose husband was killed in the Pahalgam attack, reacted with heightened emotion, suggesting “The pain will not go, but at least some peace will come to us”.
The memory of Operation Mahadev will be as a rapid and symbolic act of revenge that illustrates India’s sharpened anti-terror will, now directly upon Kashmir.
Excellent work by our defense personnels.