Srinagar, July 28, 2025 — In a significant blow to cross-border terrorism, Indian security forces today eliminated three Pakistani terrorists in a fierce encounter near Srinagar. Among those neutralised was Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Moosa, a former Pakistan Army personnel and the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 civilians were brutally killed.
The joint operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was conducted by the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Mulnar area of Harwan, close to Srinagar. Acting on credible intelligence inputs, the forces launched a swift and intense offensive early this morning.
According to official sources, Suleiman Shah was a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and had been on the radar since the deadly Baisaran Valley attack in Pahalgam. A reward of ₹20 lakh had been announced for any information leading to his capture or elimination.
The other two terrorists killed in the encounter were Abu Hamza and Yasir. Both were also identified as “high-value targets”, with Yasir reportedly involved in the same Pahalgam massacre. Their deaths mark a major operational success for Indian forces battling terrorism in the Valley.
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the development on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle:
“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues. #Kashmir @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA,” read the post, accompanied by the tag #OPMAHADEV.
While the operation achieved its primary objective, a combing exercise is currently underway to ensure there are no remaining threats in the area. Additional reinforcements have been deployed to secure the region and maintain public safety.
The encounter comes on a politically significant day, as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh initiated the Operation Sindoor debate in Parliament, outlining India’s uncompromising stand on national security and cross-border terrorism.
Officials lauded the successful operation as a fitting response to the Pahalgam massacre, with top government and military leadership commending the coordination between intelligence and ground forces.
This high-profile neutralisation is expected to have a strong impact on terror infrastructure across the border, sending a clear message of India’s zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism.
