Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 28: Three terrorists were killed in an encounter with the security forces in Lidwas forest area of Harwan in Srinagar outskirts on Monday.
Officials said that a joint anti-terror operation was launched by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police under code-name Operation Mahadev in the upper reaches of Harwan.
“Security forces on a tip-off cordoned dense Mulnar forests near Mahadev. The terrorists present there opened fire which was retaliated to, triggering a gunfight which led to the elimination of three terrorists,” they added.
Moreover, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, confirmed the killing of the terrorists. “As per initial reports, three bodies have been spotted , and they appear to be neutralised. However, identification is underway,” IGP Birdi told reporters.
However, sources said that one of the slain terrorists has been identified as Suleiman Shah, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander and mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which left 26 people, mostly tourists dead.
They said the other two terrorists killed are believed to be Abu Hamza and Jibran, both foreign terrorists and reportedly linked to the same Pahalgam strike.
Moreover, no official confirmation has been received from Army or police regarding the groups link with Pahalgam attack, and they are likely to speak on the details once the operation concludes.
About the recovery, sources also revealed that weapons recovered from the encounter site include Carbine, AK-47 rifles and other arms, indicating the group was preparing for a major strike.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the operation in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“OP MAHADEV: Contact established in the general area of Lidwas. Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues. #Kashmir”@ChinarcorpsIA”
In a separate development, the GOC, Chinar Corps, along with senior Army and CAPF officers, was scheduled to brief the media on Operation Mahadev at Udaan, Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar, at 5:00 PM today. However, according to an update from PRO Defence Srinagar, the briefing was postponed due to new developments in the operation.
It says, a revised date and time will be communicated.
The Lidwas area has witnessed a surge in anti-terror operations recently and is considered a hotspot for terrorist activity, given its difficult terrain and forest cover.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha congratulated the security forces, J&K Police and all the personnel for eliminating three Pakistan terrorists during the anti-terror operation in Srinagar.
Talking to reporters here, on “Operation Mahadev” LG Sinha said, “It’s true that three Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated. The police will give full information about this. I congratulate the army, police and all those involved in this operation.”
