Srinagar: Security forces on Monday killed three terrorists in an “intense” encounter in the Dachigam forest range of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. According to the Indian Army, the terrorists are believed to be linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).
The TRF has been accused of carrying out the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 25 tourists and a pony operator were killed. Earlier this month, the United States designated the TRF as a terrorist outfit.
Operation Mahadev: Swift and Precise Action
The Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the success of the ongoing ‘Operation Mahadev’, saying,
“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”
Northern Army Command chief Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma praised the forces for their swift and precise action.
‘Operation Mahadev’
‘Operation Mahadev’ was an anti-terror operation conducted by Indian security forces in the Lidwas area near Dachigam National Park, on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation, a joint effort by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was launched on July 28, 2025, based on intelligence about militant movement in the Mulnar area.
Officials recovered the bodies of the terrorists along with US-made carbines, AK-47 rifles, ammunition, and other material. While their identities are yet to be officially confirmed, one of the slain terrorists is believed to be Pakistani national Suleman Musa, the suspected mastermind of the Pahalgam attack.
If confirmed, Musa’s death would mark a major breakthrough for security forces. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier released sketches of Musa, along with two others — Adil Bhai alias Talha Bhai of Pakistan and local militant Adil Hussain Thoker — after the April attack.
Inputs and Jungle Warfare Tactics
The operation was launched in the early hours based on intelligence inputs about the terrorist movement in Lidwas meadow, located in the upper Dachigam National Park area.
Security agencies have linked the same group to several attacks since 2023, including:
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Dera Ki Gali (Dec 2023): Four soldiers killed.
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Sonamarg Gagangir (Oct 2024): Six construction workers and a doctor killed.
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Gulmarg Heights (Oct 2024): Two soldiers and two porters killed.
In December 2024, forces killed Junaid Ramzan, a Lashkar commander involved in the Z-Morh tunnel attack, where seven workers were killed.
Backdrop: Tensions Post-Pahalgam Attack
The Pahalgam attack in April had pushed India and Pakistan to the brink of war, triggering Operation Sindoor. During this four-day confrontation, India targeted nine terror hubs, including those of LeT and JeM inside Pakistan. The standoff ended only after a US-brokered ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump on May 10.
Security officials believe the TRF has been exploiting the dense forests and rugged terrain of Dachigam for jungle warfare, enabling them to evade detection while launching attacks across Kashmir.
With Operation Mahadev still underway, forces remain on high alert in the region.
