Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Killed in Srinagar Encounter

In a significant breakthrough for Indian security forces, three terrorists, including the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, were killed in an encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar on Monday, July 28. The joint anti-terror operation was carried out by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police based on specific intelligence inputs.
The mission, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was launched in the Lidwas area near Dara, located close to the Dachigam National Park. According to officials, security forces swiftly moved into action once credible information was received about the presence of terrorists in the region.
The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army confirmed the success of the operation in a statement on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”
While official confirmation of their identities is still awaited, sources indicate that one of the slain militants is Suleiman Shah, also known by the alias Hashim Moosa. Shah had been on the run since orchestrating the Pahalgam attack on April 22, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians, the majority of them tourists.
Shah was reportedly a former operative of the Pakistan Army and had ties with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a designated terror group. Following the brutal massacre in Pahalgam, the Jammu and Kashmir Police had issued a reward of ₹20 lakh for any information leading to his capture. Intelligence sources believed he was hiding in the Ganderbal district of central Kashmir prior to the operation.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, provided updates to the media, confirming the joint efforts of J&K Police, paramilitary forces, and the Indian Army in executing the ongoing operation in the high-altitude areas of Lidwas.
“It is a prolonged operation and is still continuing, in which J&K Police, paramilitary forces, and the Army are engaged in an exchange of fire with terrorists in the higher reaches,” said IGP Birdi. “As per the interior reports, three bodies are being observed and seem to be neutralised.”
The successful execution of Operation Mahadev marks a major win for Indian security forces, especially in the aftermath of the Pahalgam massacre. The ongoing operation continues to sweep the area to ensure the region is clear of any further threats.