Srinagar, July 29 — In a major counter-terrorism breakthrough, Indian security forces on Monday neutralized three Pakistani terrorists, including the notorious mastermind behind the Pahalgam massacre, during Operation Mahadev on the outskirts of Srinagar.
The joint operation, carried out by personnel from the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, resulted in the elimination of Suleiman Shah, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative believed to have orchestrated the brutal April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley that claimed the lives of 26 civilians.
Suleiman Shah, who also went by the alias Hashim Moosa, was a former Pakistan Army soldier turned militant. His death marks a significant blow to Pakistan-backed terror networks operating in the Kashmir Valley.
Two other terrorists, identified as Abu Hamza and Yasir, were also killed in the operation. Yasir is suspected to have directly participated in the Pahalgam killings, according to intelligence sources.
Suleiman had been one of the most wanted terrorists in the region, with a ₹20 lakh bounty placed on his head by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for any information leading to his capture.
The operation coincided with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s address on Operation Sindoor in Parliament, underlining India’s heightened resolve to crack down on cross-border terrorism.
With the successful execution of Operation Mahadev, security agencies reaffirm their commitment to eliminating terrorist threats and ensuring the safety and sovereignty of the region.