On July 28, 2025, Indian security forces killed three militants implicated in the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which occurred on April 22, 2025. The attack had resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, mostly Hindu pilgrims, and sparked intense clashes between India and Pakistan.
Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Indian Parliament that the militants were neutralized in a firefight in the Dachigam area near Srinagar, Kashmir’s summer capital. Forensic analysis matched the rifles recovered from the militants to those used in the April attack, confirming their involvement. Two of the suspects were identified as members of Lashkar-e-Taiba, a UN-designated Pakistan-based terrorist group. The arrested individuals were confirmed to be Pakistani nationals.
The operation, named "Operation Mahadev," was the culmination of a months-long intelligence and military effort to locate and capture the suspects following the attack. Amit Shah highlighted that all possible measures were taken to prevent the attackers from fleeing India, involving coordination among the Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and intelligence agencies.
This announcement came amid parliamentary debates and criticism over the government's handling of the Kashmir conflict and response to terrorism. Operation Mahadev is seen as a significant success for Indian security forces, aiming to deter future attacks.
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