In a recent counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, security forces have neutralized a terrorist. The operation is a significant success for the security forces in their efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.
The operation, codenamed "Mahadev", took place in the Dachigam forest area on the outskirts of Srinagar. It was launched following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the Lidwas meadow, a high-altitude area in Dachigam National Park, Harwan. The Army's Chinar Corps confirmed the successful operation, stating that three terrorists were killed in an intense firefight. The operation is still ongoing.
One of the slain terrorists has been identified as Suleiman, a Pakistani national. Suleiman was believed to be the lead perpetrator of the Pahalgam massacre where 26 civilians were killed. He was also involved in the April 2023 attack on an Army truck in Poonch, in which five soldiers were killed. The other two terrorists killed alongside Suleiman were identified as Hamza Afghani and Jibran. All three were linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and its offshoot The Resistance Front (TRF). Jibran is believed to have played a key role in the October 2023 Sonamarg Tunnel attack, which claimed seven lives.
Security forces recovered a large cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site, including one M4 carbine, two AK rifles, and other war-like stores. This indicates that the terrorists were well-equipped and possibly planning another major strike. A hideout was also busted at the encounter site, where cooking utensils and food supplies were found, suggesting the terrorists had been camping in the area for several days.
The elimination of these terrorists is a major setback for LeT. Suleiman Shah was reportedly involved in multiple high-profile attacks across Jammu and Kashmir. He is believed to have infiltrated into Jammu and Kashmir between 2022 and 2023. Security sources said Shah was first identified and tracked by the Jammu and Kashmir Police following the Ganderbal tunnel attack.
Following the encounter, a massive manhunt is underway for a splinter group believed to be active in central Kashmir. Security agencies believe that the same TRF group was involved in multiple terror attacks since 2023 — from Poonch to Gulmarg — using forests to move stealthily and carry out ambushes.
The successful operation has been praised by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that all three terrorists were killed in Operation Mahadev in Srinagar. He added that their identities were confirmed by those previously arrested by the NIA for providing shelter to the terrorists.
