Security forces have identified the bodies of three terrorists killed in an encounter near Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, including Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack. The operation, named "Operation Mahadev," resulted in the deaths of two other Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives, Abu Hamza and Yasir, who were also involved in the Pahalgam attack.

Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Musa, was a former commando of the Pakistan Army's elite Special Service Group (SSG) and a core member of the LeT. He infiltrated India in September 2023 and became involved in multiple terror operations in South Kashmir. Shah led an attack in October 2024 that killed seven civilians who were working at a tunnel construction site and was also involved in an attack in Baramulla that resulted in the deaths of four security personnel. Security agencies believe he was involved in at least six terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which Shah masterminded, resulted in the deaths of 26 unarmed civilians in the Baisaran Valley and shook the nation. Following the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to Shah's capture. After a three-month pursuit, intelligence agencies identified and tracked him, leading to Operation Mahadev.

The operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs, including a technical signal similar to one used in the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Army, along with the CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police, cornered and neutralized Shah and the other terrorists in the Lidwas area near Harwan, on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site, including one M4 carbine and two AK rifles, indicating that the terrorists were well-equipped and potentially planning another major strike. SSP Srinagar GV Sundeep Chakravarty stated that all three terrorists were foreign nationals from Pakistan and affiliated with LeT.

The Indian Army's Chinar Corps confirmed the success of the operation, stating that "Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight". Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) VK Birdi described the gunfight as a “long-drawn operation,” and said that further details would be shared after complete verification.

The elimination of Suleiman Shah is considered a major victory for security forces, who have avenged the deaths of the 26 civilians killed in the Pahalgam attack. His death also exposes Pakistan's role in supporting terrorism in the region, despite its denials. The destruction of LeT training centers in response to the attack further weakens the terror network.