Pahalgam mastermind among 3 killed in Operation Mahadev
Srinagar: The armed forces on Monday killed three infiltrators in the Lidwas area, located in the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park in Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar.
The Army launched 'Operation Mahadev' in the early hours of Monday and later reported the recovery of three bodies from the encounter site. A senior J&K police official told ET that the group was led by 'Sulaiman', who was allegedly involved in the Pahalgam massacre. "Sulaiman and two others were killed in this encounter. He was involved in the Pahalgam attack," the official said.
The armed forces are expected to formally brief the media on the operation on Tuesday. However, there has been no official confirmation yet on the identity or involvement of the three suspected infiltrators.In the Baisaran Valley of Pahalgam 25 tourists and one local were killed by unidentified gunmen from point blank range on April 22, this year, which triggered a mini war between India and Pakistan in May.
"Contact established in General Area Lidwas...Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues," Srinagar based Chinar Corps of the Army had informed. Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma complimented the forces for the swift and precise execution of the infiltrators.
The army officials have informally shared pictures of the three bodies, with bullet wounds in their heads. They informed that a US carbine, AK-47 rifles and other ammunition has been recovered from the three suspects. However, the identity of the trio is yet to be officially disclosed. "The identification of the neutralised terrorists is being done. Please await further details," J&K police informed on X. The army and police have also not issued any official statement about the connection of this group with the Pahalgam attack but the investigation continues. "Three Pakistani terrorists have been eliminated in Dachigam area and police will share details of the operation. Such kinetic operations have been happening for several months now and I congratulate the forces for this success," Lieutenant Governor of J&K Manoj Sinha told reporters on the sidelines of a function. Earlier, on April 12, three foreign infiltrators were killed in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar and the army sais an AK rifle, an M4 Rifle and other equipment were recovered from the spot. The officials claimed that a top Jaish-e-Muhammad commander was killed in that encounter.
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