Operation Mahadev Triumph: LeT Commander Suleman Neutralized in Kashmir’s Successful Anti-Terror Drive

In a resounding victory against the forces of terrorism, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, about the successful culmination of ‘Operation Mahadev’. This significant anti-terror drive in Jammu and Kashmir saw the neutralization of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Suleman, identified as the key architect behind the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 innocent lives on April 22, 2025. Two other A-category terrorists, Afghan and Jibran, also linked to the heinous attack, were eliminated in the meticulously planned joint operation.

Key Highlights of the Successful Operation Mahadev:

• Mastermind Neutralized: LeT commander Suleman, alias Faizal, the primary plotter of the Pahalgam terror attack, was killed. Suleman was an A-category commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, a significant blow to the terror outfit.
• Joint Forces’ Efficacy: The operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was a combined effort by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Their coordinated action led to the successful elimination of all three terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam massacre.
• Identity Confirmed Through Rigorous Investigation:
  • The investigation involved extensive questioning of over a thousand individuals, including victims’ families, tourists, pony operators, photographers, and local residents.
  • Composite sketches were prepared based on gathered inputs.
  • Two individuals, Bashir and Parvez, who had harboured the terrorists and supplied them with food, were identified and detained on June 22.
  • Upon recovery of the terrorists’ bodies in Srinagar, they were identified by the already detained individuals.
  • Forensic evidence, including matching seized rifles with FSL reports of cartridges from the terror attack site, further confirmed their identities.
• Pahalgam Attack Avenged: The elimination of Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran brings a sense of justice for the victims of the Pahalgam attack, where terrorists mercilessly killed 25 tourists and one local, even asking for their religion before shooting them at point-blank range.
• Operation Mahadev Location: The encounter took place in the forested area near Dachigam National Park, specifically in the general area of Lidwas near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar.
• Recoveries from the Terrorists: Security forces recovered an M4 carbine, two AK-47 rifles, and other ammunition from the encounter site, indicating the sophisticated weaponry used by the terrorists.
• Suleman’s Background and Prior Involvement: Reports indicate that Suleman, also known as Hashim Musa, was a former Pakistani special forces commando who had trained at the LeT Muridke hub in Pakistan. He had infiltrated India in 2022 and was also linked to a 2023 attack on an Army truck in Poonch, which killed five soldiers.
• “Operation Sindoor” Context: The announcement by Home Minister Amit Shah came during a debate in the Lok Sabha on the Pahalgam attack and the subsequent ‘Operation Sindoor’, a response targeting terror infrastructure.

The successful execution of Operation Mahadev underscores India’s unwavering resolve in combating terrorism and ensuring the safety and security of its citizens. This targeted strike sends a clear message that those who perpetrate acts of terror will be hunted down and brought to justice, regardless of how long it takes. The diligent work of the security forces and intelligence agencies, culminating in this triumph, reiterates their commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the region.