| On Pahalgam carnage anniversary, Army vows justice, highlights success of Op Mahadev | |    | Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 22: On the first anniversary of the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives, the Indian Army on Wednesday reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, underscoring the success of “Operation Mahadev” in eliminating the perpetrators and warning of a decisive response to any act targeting India.
The attack took place on April 22, 2025, when terrorists opened indiscriminate fire in the scenic Baisaran Valley in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam, killing 25 tourists and one local civilian. The incident, which occurred at a popular tourist destination, had triggered nationwide outrage and condemnation.
Marking the anniversary, the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Army, in a post on X, asserted, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always.” The message was accompanied by a graphic referencing “Operation Sindoor”, the broader military response launched in the aftermath of the attack.
The Army highlighted that “Operation Mahadev”, launched to track down those directly involved in the massacre, evolved into one of the most extensive counter-terror operations in recent years. Security forces scanned nearly 300 square kilometres of difficult terrain and carried out relentless search operations over 93 days.
On July 28, 2025, acting on precise intelligence inputs, security forces neutralised three terrorists—identified as Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran—linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba. The operation marked the culmination of sustained efforts involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Armed Police Forces, and intelligence agencies working in close coordination.
Officials said the operation entered its decisive phase on July 10, when forces intensified surveillance, redeployed troops strategically, and sealed potential escape routes, effectively trapping the terrorists within a confined area.
Forensic investigations later confirmed the involvement of the slain terrorists. Weapons recovered from the encounter—one M4 carbine and two AK-47 rifles—were matched with cartridges found at the attack site in Baisaran Valley. Experts established with complete certainty that the same weapons had been used in the massacre.
While “Operation Sindoor” targeted the broader terror infrastructure and masterminds behind the attack, “Operation Mahadev” specifically focused on eliminating those directly responsible for the killings.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, had claimed responsibility for the attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had rushed to Srinagar on the day of the incident to review the security situation and oversee measures to prevent the attackers from escaping.
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) conducted an extensive probe, recording statements of over 1,000 individuals and arresting three persons accused of providing shelter to the terrorists. Continuous intelligence efforts between May and July eventually led to the confirmation of the terrorists’ location, culminating in the final operation led by Army’s 4 Para unit, along with CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Reiterating its resolve, the Army said bringing the perpetrators of the Pahalgam carnage to justice was only a matter of time, and warned that any future attempts to target India would invite a swift and assured response. | | |
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