Indian security forces neutralised three heavily armed Pakistani terrorists during a high-intensity encounter in the dense Lidwas forests near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar. The precision operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was launched based on specific intelligence inputs and electronic surveillance pointing to militant activity in the area.
The encounter began late Monday morning when a joint team from the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and the elite 4 Para (Special Forces) spotted suspicious movement in the Mulnar region of Harwan. A swift and precise response triggered an intense gunfight, which culminated in the elimination of all three foreign terrorists.
LeT Operative Among the Dead
One of the deceased terrorists has been identified as Jibran, a known Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative, suspected of involvement in the October 2023 Sonamarg Tunnel attack that claimed seven lives, including a civilian doctor. Initial reports also indicate that Suleiman Shah, believed to be the mastermind of the recent Pahalgam terror attack, might be among those killed. Authorities are awaiting final forensic confirmation.
Weapons and Tactical Gear Seized
Security forces recovered a significant cache of arms and equipment from the site. This includes an M4 carbine, two AK-series rifles, and other military-grade materials—pointing to the possibility that the group was preparing for another major strike in the region.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, GV Sundeep Chakravarty, all three militants were foreign nationals, likely from Pakistan, and linked to LeT. He added that while strong leads connect them to past attacks, confirmation will follow complete identification and analysis of evidence.
Tech-Driven and Coordinated Response
The operation was launched based on specific intelligence, including technical signals similar to those intercepted during the Pahalgam attack. Drone surveillance and ground-based combing operations were used effectively to trace and neutralise the terrorists in the rugged, forest-dense terrain near Dachigam National Park.
Additional reinforcements from the CRPF and Jammu & Kashmir Police were deployed to ensure complete containment and eliminate any residual threats.
Army Confirms Success
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the successful operation via an official statement on social media platform X, stating:
“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone VK Birdi described the encounter as a “long-drawn and complex operation,” noting that more details would be released after thorough verification of the slain operatives’ identities and affiliations.
Part of Larger Crackdown
Sources suggest that Operation Mahadev is a part of a broader crackdown on cross-border terror networks, with a focus on dismantling sleeper cells and neutralising foreign fighters who have infiltrated the Kashmir Valley.
This operation underscores the heightened alertness of Indian security forces and their commitment to preempting terrorist threats before they can materialise into mass-casualty events.
