In a significant breakthrough in India’s ongoing counter-terrorism operations, authorities have confirmed the identities of three terrorists killed during a major anti-terror operation in Dachigam forest near Srinagar. Among them was Suleiman Shah, believed to be the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, along with two other Pakistani nationals – Jibran and Hamza Afghani, all operatives of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

The identities were confirmed after a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team brought previously arrested terror harbourers from Kot Lakhpat Jail to the site of the encounter for on-the-spot identification. These harbourers identified all three slain terrorists, stating that they had visited their Dhok (temporary shelter) before the April attack. Sources within security agencies have confirmed that all three individuals were Pakistani nationals with longstanding affiliations to the LeT network operating in Kashmir.

The encounter, dubbed Operation Mahadev, was launched after a technical signal intercept, believed to be a satellite phone communication, pinpointed their location between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges. Acting on the input, the Indian Army launched a surprise offensive, resulting in a prolonged firefight that led to the neutralisation of the terrorists.

Officials described the mission as a high-precision operation combining technical and human intelligence, culminating in a tactical victory against cross-border terror operations. Intelligence agencies had been tracking the movements of these operatives for over a month before striking.

Among the dead:

• Suleiman Shah was identified as the mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which had caused significant casualties and disruptions.

• Jibran is suspected to have been linked to last year’s Sonamarg Tunnel attack, another high-profile incident with strategic implications.

• Hamza Afghani, known to use aliases, is believed to be Hubaib Tahir, a resident of Khaigala in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), who had been operating covertly in the region.

The recovery of sophisticated weapons, communication devices, and digital evidence from the site is currently being analysed to establish further links with other attacks, particularly the Baisaran attack, for which Shah is also suspected to be the mastermind.

CNN-News18, which had previously reported exclusive details on the movement of these operatives, confirmed through its sources that the April 22 Pahalgam attackers were among those eliminated in this operation. The operation marks a major success in India’s multi-agency efforts to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from across the border.

According to Union security officials, the group had entered Indian territory several months ago and were involved in strategic planning and logistical coordination for multiple attacks across Jammu and Kashmir. Their elimination is expected to disrupt the LeT's immediate plans in the region, especially with the upcoming Independence Day period typically requiring heightened security alerts.

Authorities have stated that identification was cross-verified using a combination of photographic evidence, biometric data, and previous intelligence inputs. The slain terrorists were reportedly living in remote shelters and using off-grid communication systems to evade tracking.

Additionally, weapons recovered at the encounter site are undergoing forensic examination, including ballistic matching and origin tracing, to determine their procurement channels and potential connections with earlier attacks.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is expected to release a formal statement in the coming days, confirming the details and implications of the operation. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies are also tightening their grip on remaining sleeper cells and cross-border infiltrators still at large within Jammu and Kashmir.

As of now, no civilian casualties have been reported in the encounter, and search operations are ongoing in nearby forest regions to ensure no further terrorist hideouts remain.

The Pahalgam Terror Attack – A Brief Recap

On April 22, 2025, militants carried out a deadly ambush in Pahalgam, targeting security convoys and leaving multiple personnel injured. The attackers had used the cover of dense forest areas and local terrain to launch and escape the ambush site. Since then, efforts had been underway to track down the masterminds behind the attack. The encounter in Dachigam represents the culmination of those efforts.

Security Forces on High Alert

Following the operation, security has been heightened across Kashmir, especially in areas like Anantnag, Pulwama, and Kupwara, which are known infiltration zones. Joint checkpoints have been set up, and night patrols intensified, with the goal of intercepting any retaliatory attempts or regrouping by terror outfits.

The successful conclusion of Operation Mahadev is also seen as a morale booster for security forces, who have been on continuous high alert due to increased militant activities since the beginning of the year.

Conclusion

The identification and elimination of Suleiman Shah, the planner of the Pahalgam attack, along with his associates Jibran and Hamza Afghani, marks a critical milestone in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism. It also reflects the enhanced coordination between military intelligence, law enforcement, and national security agencies, as well as the importance of advanced surveillance and ground-level human intelligence.

India continues to maintain that Pakistan must be held accountable for sponsoring and harbouring terrorists, and operations like this bring global focus back to the urgent need for dismantling terror safe havens across the border. As investigations proceed and more evidence is analysed, the full extent of the network and its future plots may soon come to light, aiding in further neutralisation of threats.

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