Srinagar, J&K: Security forces have launched "Operation Mahadev" in the general area of Lidwas, near Dara in central Kashmir's Srinagar district. The operation, which commenced on Monday, aims to neutralize suspected militants in the area.
According to initial reports, contact has been established with the suspected militants. The Indian Army's Chinar Corps confirmed the ongoing operation, stating, "Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Operation in progress".
The operation follows reports of militant movement in the Lidwas area. A joint team comprising the police, army, and CRPF initiated a massive search operation in the upper reaches of Lidwas early Monday morning.
Sources suggest that the militants being targeted may be connected to the Pahalgam attack. These suspected foreign terrorists are allegedly linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba's proxy, "The Resistance Front," and are believed to have received logistical support from local residents.
Recent reports indicate that two terrorists may have been killed and one injured. There is a high probability that those neutralized were involved in the Pahalgam massacre.
Operation Mahadev is the latest in a series of counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. On July 20, 2025, an anti-terror operation was launched against holed-up terrorists in the Kishtwar district. The army initiated a search operation in the Hadal Gal area of Kishtwar Sector based on specific inputs about the presence of terrorists. Contact was established, resulting in intense gunfire.
On July 21, 2025, security forces resumed a search operation to track down a group of terrorists hiding in a dense forest in Kishtwar district. The joint operation by the police and the army was launched in the Khankoo forest in the Cherji area between Dachhan and Nagseni. It triggered a brief encounter with terrorists believed to be affiliated with the Hizbul Mujahideen outfit.
In Anantnag, on November 3, 2024, two foreign terrorists were killed in a gunfight. The operation was launched following intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists. Also, in Bandipura, an encounter erupted as security forces engaged with terrorists who reportedly opened fire on personnel before fleeing into a nearby jungle.
These operations highlight the ongoing efforts by security forces to combat terrorism in the region. The use of advanced surveillance technologies, such as facial recognition systems, has also played a crucial role in apprehending suspects.
