Indian Army's Operation Mahadev Brings Closure to Pahalgam Attack Victims' Families

Over three months have passed since the tragic attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam on April 22, and the families of the 26 deceased have been expressing both grief and relief following the Indian Army's elimination of the principal suspect in a gunfight close to Srinagar.

In a mission termed Operation Mahadev, Indian Army para commandos successfully neutralized three Pakistani militants, among them Suleman alias Asif, who authorities claim orchestrated the devastating attack that claimed the lives of tourists, including women and children.

Vikas Kumrawat, whose elder brother Sushil Nathaniel was among those killed, conveyed that the family had been anticipating justice. "We had been wondering why the terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack had not been apprehended yet. We feel very happy and relieved with the news of the army eliminating the mastermind," he stated.

Similarly, in Karnal, Rajesh Narwal, the father of Indian Navy officer Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed during his honeymoon, praised the efforts of the armed forces. "I salute the Army, paramilitary forces, and J&K Police jawans for their bravery. They risked their lives to hunt down the terrorists. They should be honored," he said.

Lt Narwal had recently married and was on a trip to Kashmir with his wife when the attack took place.

In Bhubaneswar, the widow of Prashant Satpathy remarked, "Those who are gone won't return, but terrorism must end. We are proud of the Indian Army."

Officials reported that Operation Mahadev was initiated after intelligence agencies detected a satellite phone signal associated with the Pahalgam attackers. The operation was conducted in the Lidwas area, near Srinagar.

Previously, in May, India had launched Operation Sindoor to target terror camps across the Line of Control as a response to the Pahalgam massacre. During these precision strikes, the army targeted at least nine terror facilities.