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Suleman Shah, Mastermind Behind Pahalgam Attack, Eliminated in Operation Mahadev by Indian Security Forces

In a significant development for India's counterterrorism operation, Suleman Shah, the Pakistan-born terrorist responsible for the attack in June 2025 that killed 26 tourists in the Pahalgam ambush, was killed in an intense overnight operation. 

The operation, referred to as Operation Mahadev, is a significant success in the security crackdown in the valley. 

The Witness reported that ‘’non-stop gunfire resonated inside the Dachigam Forests’’ when elite forces moved in on Shah and his two associates after a 12-hour standoff.  For families of victims, like Syed Naushad Shah, whose brother was killed protecting tourists, justice was done.

The Grand Finale: How Operation Mahadev Came About

The joint task force, comprising personnel from 24 Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and CRPF, commenced operations at first light on July 28, based on technical intelligence, followed by SHAH's movements to Lidwas ridge, close to Srinagar. Drones were used to track the movements of the terrorists in the heavy congestion of the Dachigam forest until ground forces could engage in a firefight.     

The weapons found were a total of 3 AK-47s, 17 grenades, and an M4 carbine - there was a plan for another big operation. The SHAH and two LeT associates (Abu Hamza and Yasir) were killed; no injuries to security forces.

Who is Suleman Shah?   

He was a 35-year-old militant, also referred to as an ex-militant named Hashim Moosa, who had connections with the Pakistani Army. He trained as a commando before he joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) organization.  A bounty of Rs. 20 lakh was announced by the J&K police after he planned the Pahalgam attack, where tourists were gunned down at the Baisaran meadows on April 22. For months, he managed to escape capture as he hid in caves in Ganderbal before the Lidwas ambush.

OP Mahadev Operation Chinar Corps X Post ( source: indiablooms.com)

The Human Toll: Families of Victims React

Syed Naushad Shah, whose pony-handler brother Adil died while rescuing tourists, found closure in the news: "They killed innocents... today we feel avenged." The April attack left 26 fatalities, including children, and put an end to tourism in Pahalgam.

Locals now hope for peace and safety again, as the security forces have detected and dismantled the remaining sleeper cells.  

What Next for Kashmir’s Security?

As Operation Mahadev comes to an end, analysts have questioned whether threats remain:  

Continual Searches: The search operations in Harwan have persisted to detect hidden militants. 

Strategic Implications: Shah’s elimination damages LeT’s buildup of Kashmir operations, but analysts have argued that groups based in Pakistan could choose to escalate retaliatory strikes.  

Shift in Tone: Success came on the back of Operation Sindoor in May, which sought out and targeted terror launchpads across the Line of Control.

Justice Served, But the War Continues: Kashmir's Ongoing Battle Against Terror 

How to prevent the next Suleman Shah from surfacing? For now, tourists at Baisaran’s memorial lighting candles are comforted knowing that there is "one less monster walking free."