100 days since Pahalgam: 12 dreaded terrorists killed as hunt intensifies

India Today

5 days ago

Following the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam's Baisaran Valley on April 22, 2025, which left 26 civilians dead, Indian security forces have ramped up their counter-terror offensive across Jammu and Kashmir. In the roughly 100 days since the attack, a total of 12 hardcore terrorists have been eliminated in a series of focused, intelligence-driven missions, sources told India Today.The perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre were linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-backed terrorist group. Security agencies launched coordinated efforts across multiple agencies to neutralise the threat posed by such outfits operating within the Union Territory.advertisementAmong those killed, six were identified as Pakistani terrorists, while the remaining six were locally recruited terrorists who were involved in recent terror strikes.
Sources privy to the operations said, "It is very difficult to put an exact number to these missions, as units across Jammu and Kashmir continue to conduct operations regularly in their respective zones".One of the most impactful missions came on July 28 in the form of Operation Mahadev, where three terrorists—directly linked to the Pahalgam attack—were gunned down near Srinagar's Dachigam area. One of them was identified as the mastermind behind the Baisaran killings. Just a day later, Operation ShivShakti was launched in the Poonch sector, resulting in the elimination of two more terrorists.According to security sources, the crackdown began within a week of the Pahalgam incident. Four major operations were carried out in south Kashmir, particularly in Shopian and Pulwama. These early actions signalled a shift to a more aggressive approach in tackling cross-border terrorism.Mid-May witnessed two crucial operations - in Shopian's Keller Forest, three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were killed, followed by another mission on May 15 in Tral's Nader area, which also claimed the lives of three more terrorists.The efforts to wipe out terror elements were not limited to Indian territory. In a powerful response beyond the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Armed Forces carried out Operation Sindoor on May 6 and 7.During the operation, nine terror launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were completely destroyed. More than 100 terrorists were killed in the precision air and ground strikes. Most of these launch pads were being used as staging grounds for infiltration and attacks in Kashmir.Before the Pahalgam attack, intelligence reports had flagged 42 active terrorist launch pads across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, with an estimated 110–130 terrorists stationed there. Around 70–75 terrorists were believed to be active in the Kashmir valley, while 60–65 were operating in regions of Jammu, Rajouri, and Poonch.In the 100-day period post the Baisaran attack, six Pakistani terrorists from this pool have been confirmed killed in action, reducing their active threat considerably."Operations like Mahadev and Shiv Shakti have not only eliminated high-value targets but also sent a clear message about India's zero-tolerance approach to cross-border terrorism," an official told India Today on the condition of anonymity.advertisementSecurity forces continue to maintain high alert in vulnerable districts, particularly in southern Kashmir and border zones near Rajouri and Poonch. Joint teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and intelligence units remain engaged in sweeping combing operations.With persistent efforts on both sides of the LoC, Indian forces are determined to dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent future attacks, sources said.The combination of swift ground action in Kashmir and strategic strikes like Operation Sindoor across the border marks a significant escalation in India's counter-terror strategy post the Pahalgam carnage.- EndsTune InMust Watch
IN THIS STORY#Jammu and Kashmir