Operation Mahadev, a meticulously planned counter-terror operation, took place over 14 days in the difficult terrains of Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar region, concluding in the execution of three high-value terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack.
Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Musa, was a prominent Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and former commando of Pakistan’s elite Special Service Group (SSG). After leaving the military, Shah joined the LeT, which was led by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed, to carry out terrorist actions.
The operation took its name from Mahadev Peak, where the terrorists were sheltering. Security forces used both physical and electronic intelligence to establish continuous surveillance over dense woodlands in the Mahadev region.
Their activities increased after detecting suspicious messages in early July. Subsequent intelligence revealed the usage of Chinese ultra radio technology—a gadget used by LeT for encrypted messaging and also known as WY SMS in 2016—confirming the terrorists’ existence.
After establishing the location, security personnel restricted their search to the Dachigam forests, an area noted for its rough terrain and altitude, where the terrorists, trained in jungle warfare, were thought to be hiding.
After establishing the location, security personnel restricted their search to the Dachigam forests, an area noted for its rough terrain and altitude, where the terrorists, trained in jungle warfare, were thought to be hiding.
Both Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed militants were carefully watched for two weeks before a precision hit was carried out. According to reports, all of the terrorists killed were foreign nationals who were considered “high-value” threats due to their expertise and previous operations.
The battle occurred in Harwan’s Mulnar district, where substantial reinforcements assured that the hideout was completely isolated. Following a fierce confrontation, security personnel retrieved various weapons from the heavily constructed forest bunker, including Carbine and AK-47 rifles, 17 rifle grenades, and other armaments.
NDTV received unique footage from the scene, indicating the magnitude of the terrorists’ planning for a massive operation in the region. The operation demonstrates the advanced capabilities of Indian security forces, which combined intelligence gathering, surveillance, and combat expertise to eliminate a significant terrorist threat in Jammu and Kashmir.
14 Days, 1 Mission, Mahadev Peak: How Pahalgam Mastermind Was Hunted Down
