In a major counter-terrorism operation, Indian security forces on Monday neutralised three Pakistani terrorists in the forested Lidwas area near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, codenamed “Operation Mahadev,” was launched based on precise intelligence and technical surveillance indicating terrorist activity in the region. The gunfight began around 11 AM when a joint team of the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para (Special Forces) intercepted the terrorists in the Mulnar area. An intense firefight followed, leading to the elimination of all three heavily armed operatives.
Key Highlights:
- One of the terrorists killed has been identified as Jibran, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) member allegedly involved in the deadly Sonamarg Tunnel attack in October 2023, which claimed seven lives.
- Sources also indicated that Suleiman Shah, the suspected mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack, might be among the dead. Confirmation is awaited pending forensic verification.
- Recovered weapons included an M4 carbine, two AK-series rifles, and other war-like stores, suggesting plans for another major strike.
Coordinated Response
The operation was supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Police and CRPF teams, with drone surveillance deployed to monitor the rugged terrain near Dachigam National Park, a region notorious for its dense forests and difficult geography.
According to SSP Srinagar GV Sundeep Chakravarty, all three terrorists were foreign nationals from Pakistan and linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. However, he added that final confirmation about their roles in previous attacks would come only after complete identification and forensic analysis.
Army and Police Confirm Success
The Chinar Corps confirmed the success of the operation on social media: “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.” Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) VK Birdi described it as a “long-drawn operation” and noted that further details would be revealed after complete recovery and verification. Security sources suggest that Operation Mahadev is part of a larger, ongoing mission to eliminate foreign terrorists and sleeper cells operating in the Kashmir Valley with backing from Pakistan-based terror groups like LeT.
