Lashkar-e-Taiba Leader Responsible for Pahalgam Attack Neutralized in Operation Mahadev

A significant development unfolded as Suleiman Shah, also known as Musa Fauji, a key Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack, was identified among the three Pakistani militants killed in an encounter on Monday. This operation, dubbed Operation Mahadev, took place in the Srinagar region of Jammu and Kashmir, according to sources.

The confrontation occurred near the Dachigam area, adjacent to the Mahadev ridge. It was initiated by a joint force of the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police, who had been monitoring suspicious activity for approximately two weeks. The operation, which began at around 11:30 AM, involved elite units from the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 PARA.

Intelligence reports indicate that Shah was not only the primary architect of the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, but he was also implicated in the murder of seven construction workers on the Z-Morh tunnel project along the Srinagar-Sonmarg highway in 2024.

The terrorists were taken by surprise while in a temporary hideout, reportedly resting when the Indian Army launched their offensive. This surprise engagement enabled the forces to neutralize the threat effectively. Among the items seized at the site were 17 grenades, an M4 carbine, and two AK-47 rifles.

Security forces had been focusing on a combined Lashkar-Jaish module located in the dense forests of Dachigam. This was after intercepting suspicious satellite communications earlier in the month, with assistance from local nomadic communities. Positioning the terrorists was made possible by renewed communication signals intercepted just two days prior, leading to the swift operation on Monday.

Operation Mahadev was named after its strategic location between the Mahadev and Zabarwan ridges.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the Pahalgam attack, had previously detained two locals suspected of harboring the attackers. While official identification of Suleiman Shah's role in the massacre awaits confirmation, intelligence continues to affirm his involvement as a principal planner and executor.

The assault in Baisaran Valley on April 22, known for its picturesque resemblance to "mini Switzerland," was among the deadliest incidents in recent times. It occurred amidst a picnic scene, where the attackers targeted specific men identified as non-Muslims. The Resistance Front (TRF), a covert group associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the strike.

This development coincides with the Parliament's scheduled debate on the Pahalgam massacre and India's subsequent military response, named Operation Sindoor. The government has faced criticism from opposition parties over perceived delays in bringing those responsible to justice. The death of Suleiman Shah is being regarded as a notable victory for Indian counterterrorism efforts.