‘Operation Mahadev’ Likely Eliminates Pahalgam Attack Mastermind Hashim Musa in Fierce Encounter Near Srinagar

Mumbai: In a major counter-terror success for Indian forces, the suspected mastermind behind the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, Hashim Musa alias Suleman, is believed to have been killed in a high-intensity encounter near Srinagar on Monday. Alongside him, two other terrorists — suspected to be Abu Hamza alias Harris and Yasir, both allegedly affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) — were also likely neutralized in the operation.

Though the identities of the slain terrorists are yet to be officially confirmed, police sources say the preliminary evidence strongly indicates the involvement of Musa and his associates. “There was an exchange of fire. Three bodies have been observed. Identification will take some time. We will confirm at the right time,” said Kashmir IGP VK Birdi while addressing the media.

The joint army operation, dubbed ‘Operation Mahadev’, was conducted in the dense forest zone near Harwan in the Dachigam area, approximately 20 km from Srinagar. The terrain, known for its strategic altitude and treacherous ridgelines, has long served as a covert transit route for terror operatives navigating between Central and South Kashmir.

Top intelligence officials confirmed to news outlet that Hashim Musa had altered his appearance — including his hairstyle and beard — and lost significant weight in recent months, a move seen as an attempt to avoid facial recognition and tracking. He was considered a key cross-border terror asset and was allegedly responsible for multiple attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, including the gruesome April 22 strike in Pahalgam that killed 26.

The operation was triggered by fresh signals from a satellite communication device — believed to be a Huawei phone used during the Pahalgam attack — that had remained dormant for months. A suspicious call from the device two days ago activated the security grid. The pinpointed location, deep within the Dachigam forest, allowed Indian Army Special Forces to swiftly launch an assault based on precise coordinates.