New Delhi: In a forceful statement before the Lok Sabha on Tuesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that all three terrorists responsible for the brutal Pahalgam attack have been neutralised in a joint security operation. The terrorists — Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran — were top Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives and had carried out the heinous killing of innocent civilians in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran Valley.
Shah detailed the success of two coordinated efforts — Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev — led by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. “These terrorists, who murdered civilians after asking their religion, have been eliminated. This is not just a message to them, but to those who send them as well,” Shah said.
He confirmed that Suleman and Afghan were both A-category Lashkar commanders, while Jibran was also classified A-grade. The three were directly involved in the Pahalgam killings, which had shocked the nation. Shah condemned the attack in the strongest terms and extended his condolences to the bereaved families.
Sharing emotional details from his visit to the victims’ families, Shah said, “I met a woman who lost her husband just six days after her marriage. That moment will never leave my mind. Today, I can say to her and all families — those who killed your loved ones are dead.”
He also revealed that those who provided food and shelter to the terrorists had already been detained. The identification of the dead bodies was confirmed by these detainees, and forensic reports matched the weapons used in the attack to the three slain terrorists. Ballistic analysis was completed in Chandigarh, validating their role in the massacre.
Responding sharply to Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s query on the origin of the terrorists, Shah said, “When someone questions whether the attackers came from Pakistan, they are, knowingly or not, giving a clean chit to that country. What do they gain from shielding Pakistan?”
Shah criticized the Opposition’s muted response to the success of the operations. “I thought the House would unite in relief and celebration. But instead, some faces turned pale. What kind of politics is this?” he asked.
Summing up the achievements, Shah clarified that Operation Sindoor took out those who planned the attack, while Operation Mahadev eliminated the perpetrators. “This is the new doctrine of Indian security — mourn the dead, yes, but ensure justice follows swiftly,” he concluded.
