Gunfight between Army and militants in Kashmir results in death of three, including the suspected mastermind in Pahalgam.
In a significant development, Suleiman Shah, the suspected mastermind behind the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, was killed in a joint security operation named Operation Mahadev on July 28, 2025. The operation was conducted by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police forces in the Dachigam forest area near Srinagar.
Suleiman Shah, also known as Musa Fauji, was a Pakistani national with a history of involvement in militant activities across South Kashmir. He was reportedly trained as a commando in Pakistan's elite special forces before joining Lashkar-e-Taiba, an organization led by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed. He was linked to deadly assaults such as the attack on a worker's camp in 2024 and an assault in Baramulla.
Alongside Shah, two other Pakistani LeT terrorists, Abu Hamza and Yasir (also linked to the Pahalgam attack), were neutralized in the operation. The encounter took place at a suspected hideout, with teams from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and the 4 Para Unit initially establishing a cordon. The J&K Police's Special Operations Group (SOG) joined the search operation, and the militants opened fire, triggering a gunfight.
The operation was named 'Operation Mahadev' by the Indian Army and took place in the Lidwas area of Harwan near Dachigam National Park. The Dachigam National Park, located about 22 km from Srinagar in the Zabarwan Range, is a challenging terrain for operations due to its elevations between 1,600 and 4,200 meters, alpine meadows, and dense forests.
Intelligence and counter-terror operations involving high-tech surveillance led to this encounter, marking a significant victory by eliminating a key Lashkar-e-Taiba operative responsible for multiple terror attacks in the region. A massive manhunt was launched, and a ₹20 lakh reward was announced for information leading to their capture or elimination.
The encounter coincided with defense minister Rajnath Singh's address in Parliament during the Operation Sindoor debate. Drones were deployed for surveillance during the ongoing operation. The Army official confirmed that the bodies have been handed over to the police for identification and legal formalities. Intelligence sources believe one of the slain militants is indeed Suleiman Shah.
[1] India Today
[2] The Hindu
[3] NDTV
[4] The Times of India
- The political analysis sections of India Today, The Hindu, NDTV, and The Times of India may delve into the complexities of the war-and-conflicts in Kashmir, as the neutralization of Suleiman Shah, a key Lashkar-e-Taiba operative involved in several deadly assaults, marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against terrorism.
- In addition to war-and-conflicts and general news, crime-and-justice sections of various newspapers might cover the latest updates on the Pahalgam terror attack, as investigations continue following the killings of Suleiman Shah, Abu Hamza, and Yasir, all accused of being involved in the attack.
