The mastermind behind the Pahalgam massacre was killed by Indian security forces in a high-profile encounter during Operation Mahadev on July 28, 2025. The joint action by the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police led to the neutralization of three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists, including the lead conspirator, known as Suleiman Shah (alias Hashim Musa), who was directly responsible for orchestrating the deadly Pahalgam attack earlier this year.
Pahalgam Massacre Mastermind Killed in Operation Mahadev
Background on the Pahalgam Massacre
- On April 22, 2025, armed terrorists attacked Baisaran Valley in Pahalgam, killing 26 people, most of whom were tourists.
- Investigations quickly pointed to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), with Suleiman Shah, a former commando of Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group, emerging as the principal planner.
- Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information on Suleiman after the massacre.
Operation Mahadev: The Manhunt and Encounter
- The encounter took place in the Lidwas area of Dachigam Forest, on Srinagar’s outskirts, after security forces tracked satellite phone and encrypted radio signals used by the terrorists.
- For weeks, Indian security agencies surveilled suspicious communications. The final breakthrough came when a Chinese-made encrypted communication device, first detected 14 days before the operation, was activated again, revealing the terrorists’ precise location.
- Local intelligence inputs, including from nomadic communities, helped pinpoint their hideout in the dense forest.
- At dawn on July 28, security forces—including the Army’s Para Special Forces, Rashtriya Rifles, CRPF, and state police—cordoned the area, launching a pre-emptive strike.
- After a brief but intense firefight, all three terrorists—Suleiman Shah (alias Hashim Musa), Yasir, and Abu Hamza—were killed.
- Large quantities of arms, including an M4 carbine, two AK-47 rifles, and 17 grenades, were recovered from the site.
Security and Political Reactions
- The elimination of Suleiman Shah was hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against cross-border terrorism, given his experience as a trained commando and his central role in recent attacks, including the Sonamarg Tunnel attack in 2024.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the deaths of those involved in the Pahalgam massacre.
- The operation is seen not only as retribution for the massacre but also as a significant disruption of the LeT’s operational capabilities in Kashmir.
Ongoing Operations and Broader Security Context
- Operation Mahadev remains ongoing, with intelligence suggesting a continued threat from other infiltrators in the region. Additional forces have been deployed in anticipation of further encounters.
- The broader anti-terror crackdown, codenamed Operation Sindoor, was previously launched to dismantle terror infrastructure along the Line of Control after the Pahalgam tragedy.
Key Facts Summary
- Mastermind killed: Suleiman Shah (aka Hashim Musa), ex-Pakistan Army SSG, top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander.
- Operation: “Operation Mahadev” in Dachigam Forest, July 28, 2025.
- Other terrorists killed: Yasir and Abu Hamza — both foreign nationals, LeT operatives.
- Significance: Direct avenging of the Pahalgam massacre; major blow to LeT.
Caveats and Ongoing Investigations
- While operational sources confirmed the identities and affiliations, as of July 29, authorities had not shared detailed post-mortem or interrogation findings. The operation’s broader security impact will depend on follow-up counter-terrorist actions and intelligence activities in the aftermath.
Indian security officials continue to monitor the situation for any resurgence of terrorist activities connected to this network.
