In a major counter-terrorism operation, Indian security forces have neutralized three high-value terrorists, including Hashim Musa, the alleged mastermind behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that occurred on April 22, 2025. The operation, dubbed "Operation Mahadev," took place in the upper reaches of the Dachigam forest near Srinagar on July 28, 2025. The other two terrorists killed in the encounter have been identified as Abu Hamza and Yasir.
The operation was conducted by a joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). It targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives who were hiding in the rugged terrain of Lidwas, near Mount Mahadev. Security forces launched a 14-day pursuit based on precise intelligence obtained from a reactivated Huawei satellite phone. The satellite phone, suspected to have been used by the terrorists, had gone silent after the Pahalgam attack but briefly reactivated two days before the operation, allowing security forces to trace its location to the remote Dachigam forest.
The encounter began after security forces intercepted suspicious communications. Elite units, including 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para, outmaneuvered the terrorists in the dense forest, utilizing drone surveillance and tactical precision. The terrorists were reportedly caught off guard and were napping inside a tent when the security forces launched the attack. The operation resulted in the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition, including 17 grenades, an M4 carbine, and two AK-47 rifles.
Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman Shah, was a top commander of the LeT and a former soldier in the Pakistani army's special forces. He is believed to have received elite para-commando training in Pakistan, which aided his terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Musa was the mastermind behind the Pahalgam massacre in Baisaran Valley, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. He was also involved in the killing of seven people involved in the construction of the Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonmarg highway last year. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for anyone providing information about him.
The other two terrorists killed in the operation, Abu Hamza and Yasir, are believed to be Pakistani nationals affiliated with LeT. While their exact roles in the Pahalgam attack are still being confirmed, sources indicate their involvement.
Operation Mahadev is considered a significant victory in India's fight against cross-border terrorism. The operation was named after the 13,000-ft Mahadev mountain, the highest peak in the Zabarwan range, near the Dachigam National Park. The success of the operation demonstrates the effectiveness of coordinated efforts between the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and intelligence agencies. It also sends a strong message to terror sponsors across the border that terrorists will be hunted down and brought to justice. Search operations are continuing in the Dachigam area to locate any remaining associates of the slain terrorists.
