Study OAS · 28 July 2025

Operation Mahadev: Neutralizing Pahalgam Attack Mastermind

What’s New?

On July 28, 2025, Indian security forces executed Operation Mahadev, neutralizing three Pakistani terrorists, including Suleiman Shah (alias Hashim Musa), the alleged mastermind of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation, conducted in the Dachigam forests near Srinagar, involved a joint team of the Indian Army (24 Rashtriya Rifles, 4 Para), J&K Police, and CRPF, recovering 17 grenades, one M4 carbine, and two AK-47 rifles.
The operation followed a 14-day pursuit, triggered by a Chinese satellite phone detected on July 11, with intelligence from local nomads and intercepted communications confirming terrorist presence.

A counter-terrorism operation launched by the Chinar Corps in the Lidwas-Harwan area near Dachigam National Park, aimed at eliminating terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack.
Key details:
- Intelligence-driven: Began after detecting a satellite phone in Baisaran, with further inputs confirming movement in Dachigam forests.
- Swift execution: Contact established at 11:30 AM, with all three terrorists neutralized by 12:37 PM using surprise tactics and drone surveillance.
- Terrorist profiles: Suleiman Shah, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander and former Pakistan Army operative, was involved in the Pahalgam attack and Z-Morh tunnel killings (2024). The other two, Abu Hamza and Yasir, are also linked to LeT and possibly Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
The operation continues to track remaining associates, with body identification ongoing to confirm links to the Pahalgam attack.

Pahalgam Attack: Claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), an LeT offshoot, it targeted tourists in Baisaran Valley, dubbed “mini Switzerland,” prompting a Rs 20 lakh reward by J&K Police for information on Suleiman Shah.
Operation Sindoor: India’s broader surgical strike response to the attack, debated in Parliament on July 28, 2025, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh defending its success, while the opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi, questioned its scope.
NIA Involvement: The National Investigation Agency arrested two locals, Parvaiz Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad, in June 2025 for harboring the attackers, aiding identification of the terrorists.

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT): A Pakistan-based terrorist group, responsible for major attacks like 2008 Mumbai and Pahalgam 2025, often operating through proxies like TRF.
Chinar Corps: The Indian Army’s 15 Corps, based in Srinagar, oversees counter-terrorism operations in Jammu and Kashmir, critical for LoC security.
National Investigation Agency (NIA): Established under the NIA Act, 2008, it investigates terrorism-related cases across India, coordinating with state police.
Dachigam National Park: A protected area near Srinagar, often used as a hideout by terrorists due to its dense forests and proximity to 20 km from the city center.

Operation Mahadev: Neutralized three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, mastermind of the Pahalgam attack (26 killed), on July 28, 2025, in Dachigam, Srinagar.
Execution: 14-day pursuit using satellite phone tracking, local intelligence, and drone surveillance led to a swift encounter by Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.
Recoveries: 17 grenades, M4 carbine, and AK-47s found, with ongoing efforts to identify bodies and track associates.
Impact: Strengthens counter-terrorism efforts, supports Operation Sindoor, and boosts India’s security posture in J&K.

Definition: Operation Mahadev is a counter-terrorism operation neutralizing LeT terrorists linked to the Pahalgam attack.
Key Event: July 28, 2025, encounter killed Suleiman Shah, Abu Hamza, and Yasir in Dachigam forests.
Strategic Context: Aligns with Operation Sindoor and NIA investigations, addressing cross-border terrorism.
Static Linkages: Chinar Corps, NIA, LeT, TRF, and J&K’s security framework.
Challenges: Identifying remaining associates, countering Pakistan-backed terrorism, and ensuring civilian safety in conflict zones.