Main Terrorist Of Pahalgam Attack, Reportedly Killed During Operation Mahadev In Dachigam

Srinagar: In a major breakthrough in India's counter-terrorism operations, security forces have neutralised three Pakistani terrorists in Kashmir’s Dachigam area under Operation Mahadev. Among those reportedly killed is Suleman alias Asif, a resident of Pakistan and believed to be one of the key masterminds behind the Pahalgam terror attack that shook the Valley earlier this year. 

Sources say the terrorists were eliminated during a precision-led operation in the Dachigam forest belt, following days of intelligence tracking. The crackdown comes as part of a broader offensive against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation comes at the time Parliament is debating Operation Sindoor during its Monsoon Session.

According to officials, the bodies of the neutralised terrorists will be shown to Over Ground Workers (OGWs) arrested earlier by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). These OGWs are accused of aiding the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 Indians were massacred —making it one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.

The Pahalgam massacre had drawn nationwide outrage and prompted a series of high-level security reviews. India launched a massively successful Operation Sindoor in response to Pahalgam and hammered Pakistani air bases and destroyed 9 terror camps across the LoC - killing over 100 terrorists in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

The killing of Suleman, who played a central role in orchestrating the attack, is being hailed as a major success for the Indian security apparatus.

Sources have told that “Three terrorists eliminated in the ongoing operation are foreign nationals likely affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. We are investigating their possible role in the Pahalgam attack."

Meanwhile, speaking in Lok Sabha on Operation Sindoor, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: “Indian armed forces gave a befitting response to Pakistan. India destroyed 9 terror dens in Pakistan. Our response was rational and ensured that civilians were not harmed.”