Lagatar24 Desk
Srinagar: In a significant counter-terror operation, the Indian Army’s elite para commandos neutralized three terrorists on Monday during an encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar. Among the slain was Sulieman alias Asif, identified as the mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam attack, officials confirmed.
Precision Strike by Security Forces
The operation, codenamed ‘Operation Mahadev’, was launched based on precise intelligence inputs. Alongside Sulieman, two other terrorists were killed — Jibran, suspected to be involved in the October 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel attack, and Hamza Afghani. A cache of arms, including one M4 carbine rifle, two AK-47 rifles, and other ammunition, was recovered from the encounter site. Following the operation, additional reinforcements were deployed in the area amid alerts of further militant presence.
Official Confirmation and Aftermath
Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) VK Birdi described the action as a “long-drawn operation”. The Chinar Corps, through a post on social media platform X, confirmed the elimination of all three terrorists involved. Police officials helped in the identification of the bodies and have taken over for legal formalities and conducting last rites as per standard protocols.