Srinagar, July 28: In a significant counter-terrorism breakthrough, security forces on Monday gunned down Sulieman alias Asif, the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, along with two of his associates during a high-intensity encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir.
The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Mahadev’, was launched by elite para commandos and personnel from the 24 Rashtriya Rifles, following technical surveillance that traced a satellite phone linked to the Pahalgam attack perpetrators. The ensuing gun battle took place in a dense forest area and lasted for several hours, officials confirmed.
The two other slain militants were identified as Jibran, suspected to be involved in the Sonamarg tunnel attack in October 2024 that left seven dead, including a doctor, and Hamza Afghani, a foreign national believed to be active in cross-border operations.
Officials said the killing of Sulieman marks a major milestone in India’s counterterrorism efforts. He was the key architect behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were gunned down at Baisaran meadows. The attack had triggered Operation Sindoor, a series of surgical strikes launched on May 7 targeting terror infrastructure across the border.
Recovered from the encounter site were an M4 carbine, two AK rifles, and other arms and ammunition. The bodies were handed over to local police for identification and legal procedures in line with standard operating protocols.
The Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone), V K Birdi, described the operation as “long-drawn and critical,” noting that additional reinforcements have been deployed in the area amid intelligence reports suggesting the presence of more militants.
The Chinar Corps, in a statement on social media platform X, confirmed the neutralization of three terrorists and stated, “Operation Mahadev continues.”
