Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha that all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack on April 22nd have been killed in Operation Mahadev. The operation, a joint effort by the Army, CRPF, and J-K Police, concluded successfully on Monday.

Operation Mahadev followed a two-week-long pursuit and was initiated after security forces intercepted a satellite phone signal. The same device was believed to have been used by those involved in the Pahalgam attack. The phone had remained silent for over three months, but its brief reactivation provided the crucial lead. The location of the call was traced to a remote area of Dachigam forest, where a terrorist hideout was suspected.

The slain terrorists include Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman, the alleged mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack. Musa was a former Pakistan Army para-commando who later joined Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He crossed the LoC in 2022. The other two terrorists were identified as Jibran and Hamza Afghani. Jibran is suspected of involvement in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack last year, while Hamza Afghani is believed to be a foreign fighter. Sources indicate that Yasir might have been one of the other two terrorists killed along with Suleiman.

The April 22nd Pahalgam attack resulted in the deaths of 26 people, including 25 tourists and one local resident. The attack, which targeted tourists in the Baisaran meadows, triggered widespread condemnation and led to Operation Sindoor, India's response targeting terror infrastructure across the border.

The Lok Sabha held a debate on Operation Sindoor, with the Opposition questioning the government on various aspects, including alleged loss of fighter jets and claims by former US President Donald Trump of brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi questioned why the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack had not been apprehended. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the House, detailing the Indian operation and its outcomes. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that there were no trade talks with the US. Jaishankar emphasized the importance of shaping global understanding of the Pahalgam attack and exposing Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism. He also mentioned that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 was put in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably gives up its support of cross-border terrorism.

During the debate, some members of parliament raised concerns about security lapses that led to the Pahalgam attack. The government was also questioned about the absence of armed forces in the popular tourist destination.

Operation Mahadev marks a significant success in India's counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir. The death of Suleiman, the mastermind of the Pahalgam attack, is seen as a major victory.