Operation Mahadev: How Security Forces Eliminated the Pahalgam Attack Mastermind
On July 28, 2025, a significant victory in India’s counterterrorism efforts unfolded in the dense forests of Dachigam near Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. Codenamed Operation Mahadev, this meticulously planned operation led to the neutralization of three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, alias Hashim Musa, the mastermind behind the brutal April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, in Baisaran Valley. This blog dives into the details of the operation, the intelligence that fueled it, and its broader implications for security in the region.
The Pahalgam Attack: A National Tragedy
The April 22 attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, often called “Mini Switzerland,” shocked the nation. Heavily armed terrorists, later identified as operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), opened indiscriminate fire on tourists, killing 26 civilians, including men, women, and children. The attack, deliberately targeting non-Muslims, was one of the deadliest in Kashmir in recent years. Suleiman Shah, a former Pakistani Army Special Service Group (SSG) commando turned LeT operative, was identified as the chief architect of this massacre. His accomplices, Abu Hamza and Yasir (also known as Hamza Afghani), were also implicated in the attack and other terror activities, including the 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel attack that killed seven people.
The brutality of the Pahalgam attack prompted an immediate response from Indian security forces. Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, targeted and destroyed nine terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, killing over 100 terrorists. However, the hunt for the masterminds behind the Pahalgam attack continued, leading to the inception of Operation Mahadev.
Operation Mahadev: The Hunt Begins
Operation Mahadev was the culmination of a 14-day pursuit driven by precise intelligence and coordinated efforts among the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). The operation’s name was inspired by its location between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges, near the rugged terrain of Dachigam National Park and Mahadev Peak.
The breakthrough came when a Huawei satellite phone, previously used during the Pahalgam attack, became active again on July 26, 2025. Intelligence agencies, which had been tracking the device since April, intercepted a suspicious call from the Dachigam forest area, a region with no civilian habitation. This signal, combined with inputs from local nomads, confirmed the presence of three foreign terrorists in the Mulnar area of Harwan, approximately 20 km from Srinagar’s city center.
For two weeks, security forces conducted physical and electronic surveillance, tracking a joint LeT-Jaish-e-Mohammed module. The terrorists, trained in jungle warfare, were known to move frequently and rest at intervals to evade detection. However, the interception of encrypted messages via a Chinese radio system, coupled with drone surveillance, allowed the forces to zero in on their hideout.
The Encounter: Precision and Surprise
On July 28, 2025, at around 11:30 AM, a joint team comprising the Army’s 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 PARA (elite para commandos) launched the operation in the Lidwas area of Harwan. Acting on specific intelligence, the forces caught the terrorists off guard in a temporary hideout where they were resting inside a tent. The element of surprise, combined with superior tactical maneuvers, proved decisive.
The 4 PARA operatives, known for their stealth and precision, opened fire, neutralizing all three terrorists—Suleiman Shah, Abu Hamza, and Yasir—in a brief but intense firefight. Drone footage confirmed the elimination of the targets, and a subsequent search recovered a significant cache of weapons, including:
- 1 M4 carbine
- 2 AK-47 rifles
- 17 grenades
- Other war-like stores
These findings indicated that the terrorists were well-equipped and likely planning another major attack. The operation’s success was attributed to the seamless coordination among the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, with reinforcements ensuring the area was cordoned off to prevent any escape.
The Mastermind: Who Was Suleiman Shah?
Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Musa, Musa Fauji, or Asif, was a high-value target with a notorious background. A former Pakistani SSG commando, Shah was dismissed from the Pakistan Army before joining LeT’s Muridke headquarters. Trained in advanced combat and jungle warfare, he infiltrated across the Line of Control in 2022 and operated from the Tral forest region before orchestrating the Pahalgam attack. His expertise and ties to Pakistan-based terror networks made him a formidable adversary.
Shah was also linked to the 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel attack, which killed seven workers involved in the Z-Morh tunnel construction. Reports suggest he had lost significant weight, possibly to alter his appearance and evade capture. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had placed a Rs 20 lakh reward for information leading to his capture, underscoring his significance as a target.
Broader Implications
Operation Mahadev marks a significant milestone in India’s efforts to dismantle terror networks in Jammu and Kashmir. The neutralization of Suleiman Shah and his accomplices not only avenges the Pahalgam massacre but also disrupts LeT’s operations in the region. The operation highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-driven missions, with contributions from local nomads and advanced surveillance technologies like drones and satellite phone tracking.
The timing of the operation, coinciding with parliamentary debates on Operation Sindoor, underscores the Indian government’s resolve to combat terrorism. The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the Pahalgam attack, had previously arrested two locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad, for allegedly harboring the attackers. Ongoing efforts to identify the terrorists’ remaining associates and dismantle sleeper cells reflect a broader strategy to eliminate foreign fighters and their support networks in the Kashmir Valley.
Conclusion
Operation Mahadev stands as a testament to the bravery, precision, and coordination of India’s security forces. By eliminating Suleiman Shah and his accomplices, the operation delivers justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack and sends a strong message to terror outfits operating in the region. As the Chinar Corps noted on X, “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues,” signaling that the fight against terrorism remains ongoing. With continued vigilance and intelligence-driven operations, India is steadfast in its mission to secure peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources: Hindustan Times, India Today, NDTV, CNN-News18, PTI, and posts on X.
