Operation Mahadev: A Swift and Decisive Strike Against Terror

Justice Served: Operation Mahadev and the Pahalgam Terrorist Threat

Discover how Operation Mahadev effectively dismantled a terrorist threat in Baisaran, Pahalgam. Explore the meticulous planning, local intelligence, and unwavering determination of India's security forces that led to the capture of the perpetrators behind the April 2025 attack.

A decisive military response to terrorism in the breathtaking landscapes of the Himalayas

The peaceful serenity of Baisaran, Pahalgam, a renowned tourist destination nestled amidst the breathtaking Himalayan peaks, was brutally shattered on 22 April 2025. What began as an ordinary day for 26 innocent civilians quickly descended into a nightmare as a horrific act of terror claimed their lives. The perpetrators, later identified as Suleiman, Afghan, and Jibran, carried out their heinous act with a chilling efficiency, believing they would simply vanish into the shadows, their crime unpunished.

Remarkably, these three individuals managed to evade capture for a full three months. They roamed through the thick, unforgiving forests and rugged hills of the Valley, a vast expanse of challenging terrain that offered both refuge and hardship. Days and nights were spent in makeshift tents, rudimentary shelters that provided little comfort or security against the elements. Their existence during this period was a constant struggle for survival, a testament to their training to remain hidden.

During this time, the fugitives were not entirely disconnected from the unfolding events. They somehow learned of the Indian government's swift and decisive response: Operation Sindoor. This large-scale military operation, launched with precision and power, targeted and destroyed their terrorist camps located deep within Pakistan. News of this significant blow to their network reached them, delivering a crushing psychological defeat.

Their masters, the architects of the terror they had unleashed, were rendered beaten, embarrassed, humiliated, and utterly helpless by the relentless and effective counter-terrorism efforts of the Indian forces. The sense of invincibility that the perpetrators might have harboured slowly began to erode, replaced by the grim reality of their isolated and increasingly desperate situation.

Three months later, their reliance on a sophisticated communication device would ultimately lead to their undoing in an operation that security agencies would later call "Op Mahadev."

The hunt for the Pahalgam attackers intensified after a satellite phone signal, emitted from their communication device, was detected on July 26, 2025. This was the second time in 17 days the signal had been picked up, the first being on July 11 in the Baisaran area. Since the initial detection, multiple teams from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police had been relentlessly pursuing the terrorists, even conducting night searches, forcing them to change their locations constantly.

The crucial breakthrough came when the signal was traced to the Mahadev Peak area. Security forces and police immediately launched Op Mahadev. The signal was tracked to Dachigam, an area known for its dense forests and challenging terrain, with the nearest human habitation, Chak Dara, nearly 30 km away.

The operation was a testament to meticulous planning and swift execution, primarily aided by vital intelligence provided by local nomads who possessed intimate knowledge of the area. On July 28, 2025, around 11:30 am, the security forces and police moved in on Mulnar Peak near Lidwas Meadow of Mahadev Peak, a strategically important location on the outskirts of Srinagar town. The terrorists, caught unawares, were resting under a makeshift tent when the forces descended upon them.

The communication equipment used by the terrorists was their Achilles' heel. This specialised messaging device, designed to communicate with handlers in Pakistan, uses radio frequency to connect

 

to a mobile phone, allowing cross-border communication without relying on conventional phone networks, thus evading standard surveillance. However, security agencies possess advanced equipment capable of detecting such frequencies, providing an estimated area of origin. While this provides a general area rather than an exact location, it was enough for the determined forces to close in.

Op Mahadev stands as a strong statement against terrorism, showing the firm determination of India's security forces and police to bring perpetrators of such heinous acts to justice. It also highlights the vital role of local community intelligence in fighting terrorism. Operation Mahadev is a case study in modern counter-terrorism: it combined real-time technical surveillance with actionable on-the-ground inputs and elite strike capabilities, closing a brutal chapter in the Valley and sending a clear message to would-be attackers.

Also Read: Operation Mahadev

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