Gunman Behind Pahalgam Incident, Among Three Fatally Wounded in Army Conflict in Jammu and Kashmir
Indian Security Forces Eliminate Lashkar-e-Taiba Terrorist Suleiman Shah
In a significant development, Indian security forces have successfully neutralized a high-value terrorist, Suleiman Shah, in an operation named 'Operation Mahadev' near Srinagar's Dachigam forest.
The encounter took place on July 28, 2025, and involved personnel from the Army's Chinar Corps, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The operation was a coordinated response to intelligence inputs received late Sunday night, which led to the detection of a satellite phone signal, linked to the Pahalgam attackers.
Suleiman Shah, a former commando of the Pakistan Army's elite Special Service Group (SSG), was identified as the mastermind behind the April 22, 2025, terror attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley, Srinagar, India, which resulted in the death of 26 civilians. He had previously served in the Pakistan Army and later joined the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), led by Hafiz Saeed.
During the operation, Suleiman Shah was found with two other terrorists, Abu Hamza and Yasir/Afghan. Their bodies, along with one M4 carbine rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and other ammunition, were recovered from the site of the encounter.
The operation was a significant blow to the terror network in the region, as Suleiman Shah was among the most wanted terrorists in India. His role in the Pahalgam terror attack was as the top commander and planner responsible for orchestrating the massacre. Along with two other senior LeT operatives, Afghan and Jibran, he was directly involved in the attack. Jibran was allegedly involved in the October 20, 2024, terror attack in Gagangir (Ganderbal district) that left several people dead and injured.
The operation is ongoing, with efforts focused on confirming identities and recovering the bodies. An Army official confirmed that the bodies have been handed over to the police for identification and legal formalities.
The operation took place in the Lidwas area of Harwan near Dachigam National Park, a challenging terrain for operations due to its rugged, forested Himalayan terrain and elevations between 1,600 and 4,200 meters. Teams from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and the 4 Para Unit established an initial cordon around the suspected hideout. Reinforcements, including members of the J&K Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), joined to conduct a search operation. Drones were deployed for surveillance during the operation.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed their deaths and linked them conclusively to the Pahalgam terror attack, emphasizing that the terrorists who killed Indian civilians had now been eliminated.
[1] Pahalgam terror attack: Three terrorists neutralised in Operation Mahadev near Srinagar
[2] India neutralises Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Suleiman Shah in Operation Mahadev
[3] Suleiman Shah, mastermind of Pahalgam terror attack, killed in Operation Mahadev
[4] Pahalgam terror attack: Mastermind Suleiman Shah killed in Operation Mahadev
[1] The recent operation, 'Operation Mahadev,' has concluded with the neutralization of three terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, Suleiman Shah, who was among the most wanted terrorists in India. This development is a significant blow to the terror network in the region and serves as a testimonial to the Indian security forces' efforts against war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice.
[2] The Union Home Minister, Amit Shah, has confirmed the deaths of Suleiman Shah and two other terrorists in Operation Mahadev, linking them conclusively to the Pahalgam terror attack. This operation, which occurred in the challenging terrain of the Lidwas area near Dachigam National Park, further highlights the importance of politics and general-news reporting in informing the public about such critical developments.
