New Delhi,July29,2025: On 22 April 2025, five terrorists attacked innocent tourists at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians—mostly Hindus
Operation Mahadev Pahalgam: A Decisive Victory Unveiled
Operation Mahadev Pahalgam begins this article — it marks a strategic turning point in India’s counter-terror campaign following the brutal Pahalgam massacre.
What Is Operation Mahadev Pahalgam?
Operation Mahadev Pahalgam was a meticulously planned and executed joint security operation involving the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. Announced by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Lok Sabha, it eliminated three top Lashkar‑e‑Taiba operatives directly linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Pahalgam Attack: A Brutal Trigger
On 22 April 2025, five terrorists attacked innocent tourists at Baisaran Valley near Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians—mostly Hindus—with chilling religious profiling and machine-gun fire. The assault—carried out using AK-47s and M4 carbines—struck at India’s tourism heartland with unprecedented horror.
Intelligence & Surveillance Phase
Following the attack, Operation Mahadev Pahalgam began its intelligence phase on 22 May 2025, after receiving a HUMINT tip about militant presence in Dachigam forests near Mahadev Peak. Over 14 days, forces tracked encrypted ultra‑shortwave communication used by Lashkar‑e‑Taiba.
Joint Forces Strike: Execution of Operation Mahadev
On 28 July 2025, security personnel conducted a precise raid in the Lidwas area near Srinagar, targeting a dense hideout near Mahadev Peak. In the ensuing gunbattle, the militants—identified as Suleman (alias Faizal), Afghan, and Jibran, all A-category LeT terrorists—were neutralised.
Identification & Proofs: Concrete Evidence
Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament that forensic ballistic analysis matched bullets recovered at the Pahalgam scene with weapons seized in the encounter—verified by six FSL experts via video conferencing.
Additionally, Pakistani voter IDs and chocolate wrappers made in Pakistan found on two terrorists affirmed cross‑border involvement.
Political Discourse in Parliament
In a heated debate on Operation Sindoor and the Pahalgam attack, Amit Shah opened the session by declaring the success of Operation Mahadev Pahalgam, citing the brutality (religious profiling, murder before families) and confirming the terrorists’ elimination.
He also criticized opposition skepticism—especially targeting P. Chidambaram—by offering proof and challenging political rhetoric:
“Don’t be sad that terrorists belonged to a certain religion…”
Reactions from Families & Survivors
Aishanya Dwivedi, widow of victim Shubham Dwivedi, expressed mixed emotions: grief remains, but closure arrives with Operation Mahadev Pahalgam — “pain will not go, but some peace will come”.
Strategic & National Security Implications
- Restored confidence in India’s counter-terror machinery.
- Reinforced the message: terrorists will not escape across borders.
- Parliament’s 16‑hour debate reflects the gravity of national security implications, with PM Modi expected to speak soon.
Further Reading & External Resources
Operation Mahadev Pahalgam presented a firm and symbolic closure to one of the deadliest civilian attacks in Kashmir in recent decades. With evidence-based identification, cross-border implications exposed, and decisive coordination among forces, India delivered both security relief and a message of strength. The parliamentary debate underlined the political complexity—but also the unity in demanding justice and deterrence.
