Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Suleiman Shah Killed by Indian Forces

 Date: July 28, 2025

Location: Harwan Forest, Srinagar
By: The Bharat Brief

In a major breakthrough in India’s counter-terrorism efforts, security forces gunned down Suleiman Shah, the dreaded mastermind behind the Pahalgam tourist massacre, during a fierce encounter under Operation Mahadev in Srinagar’s Harwan forests. The operation, carried out by a joint team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, also eliminated two other foreign terrorists, Abu Hamza and Yasir, in what is being hailed as one of the most significant anti-terror operations in recent times.

Who Was Suleiman Shah?

Suleiman Shah, also known by the alias Hashim Moosa, was no ordinary terrorist. According to intelligence agencies, he was a former Pakistani Army Special Service Group (SSG) commando, who later defected and joined Lashkar-e-Taiba, one of the most notorious terror outfits operating from Pakistan. Trained in modern warfare and guerrilla tactics, Shah had infiltrated India in 2023 and quickly rose through the ranks due to his brutal efficiency and planning capabilities.

His name became infamous after the April 22, 2025 Pahalgam attack, in which 26 innocent civilians, including many tourists from different parts of India, were brutally killed in a planned ambush in the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam. This massacre triggered national outrage and a manhunt was launched to capture or eliminate him.

A ₹20 lakh bounty was placed on his head by the Jammu & Kashmir Police, and he had since been on the radar of Indian intelligence units and special forces.

 Operation Mahadev: How It Unfolded

On July 26, security agencies intercepted a Huawei satellite phone signal traced to the Harwan forest area, linking it to one of Shah's known associates. The Army’s 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 PARA commandos launched Operation Mahadev, with surgical precision and high-alert surveillance.

The final assault took place early on the morning of July 28, 2025. At around 11:30 a.m., troops engaged the militants in a dense forest near Dachigam. A heavy exchange of gunfire ensued. Within hours, all three terrorists were neutralized. The encounter lasted nearly four hours, showcasing the effectiveness of Indian forces in mountainous and hostile terrain.

Weapons recovered from the site included:

• Two AK-47 rifles

• One M4 carbine (American origin)

• 17 rifle grenades

• Over 100 rounds of live ammunition

• Satellite communication devices

These recoveries indicate that the terrorists were planning another major strike, likely to avenge the airstrikes carried out under Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory operation inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir earlier this month.

Significance of This Operation

Operation Mahadev was not just about eliminating terrorists; it symbolized:

1. Justice for Pahalgam victims – With Suleiman Shah’s death, India has avenged the massacre of 26 civilians.

2. Intelligence success – The use of tech surveillance, signal interception, and timely coordination between the Army and local police was critical to the mission's success.

3. Message to Pakistan – India’s continued counter-terrorist operations send a strong message that cross-border terrorism will not go unanswered.

4. Prevention of further attacks – The massive cache of weapons recovered indicates the terrorists were preparing for more bloodshed.

Who Were the Other Two Killed?

• Abu Hamza: A Pakistani national and explosives expert who had been active in Kashmir for over a year. He was reportedly behind multiple IED attacks.

• Yasir: A newly infiltrated Lashkar terrorist trained in drone and surveillance tactics.

Both had direct roles in planning or executing the Pahalgam attack.

The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the operation's success via a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating:
"Operation Mahadev successful. Three foreign terrorists neutralized. No casualties on our side. Search ops continue."

Home Minister Amit Shah congratulated the forces and said, “This is a message to every enemy of peace. India will pursue and neutralize those who spill innocent blood.”

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