Operation Mahadev: All about India's 4 Para that took down Pahalgam attackers

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29-07-2025

'This operation was done by 4 Para (SF) officers. One officer and his buddy identified them, after which they were shot immediately," a report quoted defence sources as saying read more
Indian security officers inspect the site in Pahalgam where militants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists at Pahalgam. AP File
Operation Mahadev, which tracked down and eliminated three attackers involved in the Pahalgam incident, was carried out by officers from the Indian Army's 4 Para (Special Forces), according to a News 18 report, citing defence sources.
'This operation was done by 4 Para (SF) officers. One officer and his buddy identified them, after which they were shot immediately," News 18 quoted sources as saying.
4 Para played a central role in Operation Mahadev, targeting terrorists hiding in the Harwan forest near Dachigam National Park.
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The unit swiftly cordoned off the area and engaged in a fierce gunbattle, killing three terrorists, including the mastermind of the Pahalgam massacre. The precision strike in dense terrain underlined 4 Para's counter-terror excellence, reported News 18.
What is 4 Para (SF)?
4 Para (Special Forces), or 4 Para (SF), is one of the Indian Army's most elite Special Forces units. Part of the Parachute Regiment, it specialises in counter-terrorism, surgical strikes, and high-risk operations in mountain and jungle terrain. The unit has been at the forefront of several high-stakes missions in Kashmir, including the 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
Nicknamed the 'Red Devils**'**, the regiment is known for its fierce combat reputation and distinctive maroon berets, a symbol of airborne forces. The nickname is shared with elite paratrooper units worldwide, particularly Britain's airborne forces, and has been adopted by 4 Para (SF) as a mark of their elite status and operational ethos.
The unit is considered one of the most lethal in South Asia. Its operatives are handpicked and undergo one of the world's toughest selection and probation processes. They are trained for rapid deployment, deep infiltration, and precision strikes.
Within the regiment, 4 Para (SF) is also referred to by the unofficial nickname 'Mighty Daggers' — a tribute to their sharp-strike capabilities and aggressive operational style. The term symbolizes their ability to 'strike fast and deep like a dagger,' reflecting both their tactical mindset and battlefield effectiveness.
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Other key operations by 4 Para (SF)
Surgical Strikes (2016)
In response to the Uri terror attack, 4 Para commandos led the surgical strikes targeting terrorist launch pads across the Line of Control in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Infiltrating at night, they neutralised multiple targets and returned without casualties, showcasing India's new assertive posture on cross-border terrorism.
Kupwara Snow Encounter (April 2020)
In a high-altitude mission, 4 Para troops were heli-dropped into snow-covered forests in Kupwara to intercept infiltrators. Despite one soldier falling into a crevasse during landing, the team eliminated five heavily armed terrorists in a close-quarters battle. The operation underscored their adaptability and resilience under extreme conditions.
Origins of 4 Para (SF)
The 4th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment was originally raised in 1941 under the British Indian Army during World War II. Initially trained as an airborne infantry unit, it saw action in the Burma campaign.
After serving as para-infantry during the 1965 and 1971 wars, the unit evolved in response to growing asymmetrical threats. By the 1980s, select Para battalions began specializing in unconventional warfare, and in 2001—following the Parliament attack—4 Para was officially converted into a full-fledged Special Forces unit.
Training and deployment
4 Para SF operatives undergo some of the world's toughest military training — including HALO (High Altitude Low Opening) jumps, jungle warfare, mountain operations, and urban close-quarters battle (CQB)—at elite centres in Himachal Pradesh, Belgaum, and Nahan.
The unit operates extensively in Jammu & Kashmir, the Northeast, and along the Line of Control, often conducting covert and high-risk missions deep behind enemy lines.
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With inputs from agencies