Operation Mahadev Highlights: 2024 Sonamarg tunnel attacker among 3 terrorists killed

Pahalgam terror attack victim Lt Vinay Narwal's father, Rajesh Narwal, on Monday said he salutes the defence forces after the mastermind of the ghastly attack was among three terrorists killed on the outskirts of Srinagar.

"I want to salute the Army, our paramilitary and J-K police jawans for their bravery," Rajesh Narwal told reporters in Karnal.

"The way they did not care for their lives and hunted them down is not an easy task. I salute them for their bravery. They should be honoured for this," he further said. (PTI)

The Indian security forces killed three terrorists in an encounter in Lidwas area near Harwan on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, including one who is believed to be the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

The security action, codenamed Operation Mahadev, took place after intelligence inputs and technical surveillance suggested terrorist movement in the area.

The operation was jointly carried out by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel.

One of the terrorists killed is believed to be Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack, sources said. Read more.

Operation Mahadev LIVE: Wife of Pahalgam terror attack victim Prashant Satpathy on Suleiman Shah's killing said, “Those who are gone won’t return, but terror must end; we are proud of the Indian Army.”

BJP MP Baijayant Jay Panda on Monday said in the Parliament that it appears that at least one terrorist involved in Pahalgam attack has been neutralised in the ongoing anti-terror operation. "As we were debating this issue today, some of us must have seen in the news that an Operation Mahadev is being conducted in Jammu and Kashmir targeted at terrorists and it appears that at least one of those eliminated today was involved in the Pahalgam attack...," Panda said.

Operation Mahadev LIVE: Over 9,000 pilgrims paid obeisance to Lord Shiva at the holy cave shrine of Amarnath in south Kashmir Himalayas on Monday, taking the total number of yatris to 3.86 lakh, officials said, according to PTI.

Operation Mahadev LIVE: Jammu and Kashmir LG Manoj Sinha announced the killing of 3 Pakistan terrorists in an encounter under Operation Mahadev and said kinetic operations have been going on for the past several months in the region to eliminate terrorists. "This is true — three Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated in the encounter near Dachigam. It is not appropriate for me to give more details, the police will issue a full statement on it," Sinha said.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: On Operation Mahadev, Maharashtra Deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde said, “Today, the Indian soldiers has accomplished the task of eliminating terrorists. They have done this through Operation Mahadev. I salute the Indian Army...This is a matter of pride for all Indians, and therefore, I also salute PM Modi because he has given a befitting reply to Pakistan.”

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Amid the reports that Suleiman Shah was shot in an encounter, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the development is yet to be confirmed. “It's not confirmed yet. It's a good thing if it's confirmed. From the day of the Pahalgam attack, whether it is the police, paramilitary, or the army, they are after them (terrorists). If even one of them is killed in an encounter today, it will be a good thing,” Abdullah said.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: The Indian Army launched the operation in a forest area on Srinagar's outskirts following a technical signal that was similar to the device used by terrorists in Pahalgam, officials said, according to PTI. During the operation, codenamed 'Operation Mahadev', Sulieman Shah alias Asif, believed to be mastermind of Pahalgam terror attack, was killed in a surprise action.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) Vidhi Kumar Birdi said that the identification of the three terrorists killed in 'Operation Mahadev' near Dachigam National Park near Srinagar is in process and will take some time.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: The security forces on Monday shot down Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind Pahalgam terrorist attack. The operation was launched following intelligence inputs of suspicious communication from deep inside the Dachigam forests, according to a report in India Today. The report, quoting sources, said that the terrorists were caught off guard and were napping inside a tent when the security forces attacked.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai on Monday, while lauding the Chinar Corps for its role in Operation Mahadev, said, “Sometimes, when you despair that results are not forthcoming, you only need to spare a thought for the tough terrain and conditions that affect such operations.”

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: The security forces on Monday apprehended a terrorist associate during a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in village Marsary in Kralpora of Kupwara district. During the joint operation, one individual, identified as Wali Mohd Mir, was apprehended and a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK-56 rifle, was recovered from his possession.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Sources have said that one of the thre terrorists killed during Operation Mahadev has been identified as Suleiman Shah, the mastermind behind the Pahalgam terror attack. Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Moosa, was responsible fot the April terror attack in Pahalgam that led to the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists. Shah had previously served in the Pakistan Army.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Suleiman Shah, the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, is among the three terrorists killed during the Monday encounter, sources have said. Another terrorist has been identified as Jibran, who was involved in the attack on the Sonamarg Tunnel project at Gagangir in October 2024. However, the J&K Police and the Indian Army have said that an official statement would be released once the operation is concluded.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: The Indian army launched an operation in the forests of Harwan on Srinagar's outskirts on Monday morning following a technical signal that was similar to the device used by terrorists in Pahalgam. Three terrorists have been killed by the Army's elite para commandos in the gun battle. The operation is being unfolded in the dense forest terrain between the Zabarwan and Mahadev ridges, giving the operation its name.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army has said that three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight, adding that the operation is underway.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Three terrorists were killed in an intense firefight with security forces in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said. The anti-terror Operation Mahadev took place in the general area of Lidwas, Chinar Corps of Indian Army said.

Operation Mahadev Live Updates: Suleiman Shah, the mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, was among the three terrorists killed on Monday during an encounter in Srinagar, sources said on Monday.