The Indian Army, in a joint operation with J&K Police and CRPF, killed three terrorists on Monday, July 28, 2025, on the outskirts of Srinagar under “Operation Mahadev.” One of the slain terrorists, identified as Sulieman alias Asif (also known as Hashim Musa or Suleiman Shah), is believed to be the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack which resulted in the death of 26 innocent civilians.The other two terrorists killed in the encounter were identified as Jibran and Hamza Afghani. Jibran was allegedly involved in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack in October 2024.
what is operation mahadev?
“Operation Mahadev” is the codename for a major anti-terror operation launched by Indian security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Its primary objective was to track down and eliminate the terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam attack. It involves a coordinated effort by the Indian Army (specifically, the Rashtriya Rifles and Para Special Forces), the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Security forces recovered an M4 carbine, two AK rifles, and other munitions from the encounter site.
While the elimination of Sulieman alias Asif and his associates marks a significant victory, ‘Operation Mahadev’ is far from over. Additional security reinforcements have been swiftly deployed to the encounter zone, particularly in the Mulnar area of Harwan, as intelligence inputs strongly suggest the presence of another group of terrorists still lurking in the dense, forested terrain.
Operation Mahadev has been a long-drawn operation,” stated Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) V.K. Birdi, emphasizing the meticulous planning and persistent efforts that led to this crucial breakthrough. The comprehensive nature of the operation reflects the challenges of tracking highly mobile and entrenched terror elements in difficult geographical conditions.
Earlier in the day, the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, the Indian Army’s strategic formation in the Valley, confirmed the successful anti-terror operation through a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle. The initial announcement stated that three terrorists had been neutralized, with subsequent updates providing further details as the situation unfolded. This rapid communication from the military highlights the transparency and effectiveness of information dissemination during critical operations.
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