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India Today
4 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
How Pahalgam attackers were identified after Operation Mahadev
During the discussion on Operation Sindoor in Parliament, Home Minister Amit Shah made a big revelation about the success of Operation Mahadev with firm clarity. Cutting through the political noise, the Home Minister brought facts about one of India's most meticulously executed counter-terror operations — Operation Minister Amit Shah confirmed India Today's newsbreak that the three terrorists who were eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the ones responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. But how were the authorities so sure these were the same men? The Home Minister made the announcement and explained how extra caution was used while verifying the identity of these TRAIL USING HUMAN INTELLIGENCE LAYERThe breakthrough began not with bullets but with food and shelter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals in Kashmir who had aided the terrorists. These locals had provided them food, shelter, and logistics. During interrogations, these men gave detailed accounts of the three terrorists they had encountered. Later, after Operation Mahadev was completed, these individuals were brought in to visually identify the neutralised terrorists. They confirmed that the same men they had helped were now lying dead, killed by the CROSSCHECK BASED ON GUNS, SHELLS, SCIENCEWhile human intelligence provided one layer of identification, the security agencies sought irrefutable forensic proof. The AK-47 rifles and an M9 Carbine recovered from the terrorists were immediately flown to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in experts conducted ballistic matching tests. At 4 AM, the CFSL issued its final report confirming that the bullets fired from the recovered weapons were a match to the shell casings and projectiles collected from the Pahalgam attack site. This scientific confirmation eliminated any EVIDENCE FROM THE OPERATION SITESecurity forces didn't leave it soon as the three terrorists were neutralised in Operation Mahadev, joint teams from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies launched an immediate on-ground verification thoroughly searched the bodies, weapons, satellite phones, and documents recovered. Among the seized items were thoroughly checked. There was enough evidence that confirmed foreign of the three terrorists were carrying Pakistani voter ID numbers, which were retrieved and verified by intelligence sources, according to the Home BRIEFING DELAYED UNTIL 100% CONFIRMATIONAfter the success of Operation Mahadev, a briefing was planned by the Chinar Corps GOC for 5 pm in Srinagar. But it was delayed. Why? Because the security forces chose caution over haste - they waited for final confirmation from CFSL after the ballistics test report at 4 am the next day did the Indian government officially confirm that the neutralised terrorists were the perpetrators of the Pahalgam Home Minister further revealed that 8 out of the 10 terrorists eliminated in Operation Sindoor were also involved in attacks during the UPA era. With multi-layered intelligence, forensic science, human intelligence, and digital tracking, Indian security forces didn't just strike back — they proved that they eliminated the exact individuals responsible for the heinous Pahalgam attack.- EndsMust Watch
News18
6 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Over 28% Posts In NIA Vacant, Yet Conviction Rate In Last 3 Years Soared To 97.43%
As of June 30, 2025, the NIA had 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 541 were unfilled India's primary counter-terrorism law enforcement body, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has become one of the organisation's with the highest vacancies. According to data shared by the ministry of home affairs, a staggering 28.45% of sanctioned posts in the NIA remain vacant, including one of additional director general, even as the agency handles hundreds of high-stakes investigations across the country. This was revealed in a written response to an unstarred question posed in the Lok Sabha by lawmaker Mala Roy. As of June 30, 2025, the NIA had 1,901 sanctioned posts, of which 541 were unfilled. The data exposes critical shortfalls across both field and technical positions, with significant gaps in posts like inspectors (77 vacant), sub-inspectors (93), assistant sub-inspectors (54), and constables (37). Several specialist roles in cyber forensics, ballistics, and scientific analysis also remain vacant, raising concerns over the agency's capacity to deal with increasingly complex crimes. A former DG told News18 that while the agency's performance is outstanding under pressure, prolonged understaffing could impair future investigations. 'Even when the conviction rate is exceptional, it's not sustainable in the long term with such vacancies," he said, noting that long hours and staff shortages could lead to investigative lapses. The NIA is India's premier agency investigating all terror cases. It has been praised for in-depth professional investigation of scheduled offences using the latest scientific methods and setting standards to ensure effective and speedy trials for all cases entrusted to it. According to the agency, the NIA aims to develop into a thoroughly professional, result-oriented organisation, upholding the Constitution of India and the laws of the land while maintaining professional and cordial relations with the governments of states and union territories and other law enforcement agencies in compliance with the legal provisions of the NIA Act. It also assists all states and other investigating agencies in the investigation of terrorist cases. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
10 hours ago
- The Hindu
Pahalgam Attack: NIA Launches Probe into Killing of Mastermind in Srinagar Encounter
A team of NIA sleuths on Tuesday launched a probe into the killing of the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack and his two associates in an encounter with security forces near Srinagar, officials said here. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar early Tuesday (July 28, 2025) for the identification of the bodies of the three terrorists, they said. In a major breakthrough, the Army's elite para commandos on Monday gunned down Sulieman alias Asif, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 attack, along with two of his associates, in an encounter at Mulnar in Harwan area near Dachigam National Park here. The security forces launched a surprise action, codenamed 'Operation Mahadev', following a technical signal indicating the use of a satellite phone that was used by the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. 3 Terrorists Killed in J&K Encounter Near Srinagar The other terrorists killed in the action have been identified as Jibran, who was allegedly involved in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack last year, and Hamza Afghani. As many as 26 people, mostly tourists, were shot dead by terrorists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which prompted the armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The bodies of the slain terrorists were brought from the encounter site to the PCR here late Monday. The NIA team is taking witnesses in batches of two to three people "for ensuring a cent per cent confirmation that the slain terrorists include Sulieman Shah", officials said. Meanwhile, the operation is ongoing as intelligence inputs have suggested the presence of another group of terrorists in the area, officials said. Jibran was allegedly involved in the terror strike at the Sonamarg tunnel project at Gagangir in October last year. Seven people, including a doctor, were killed in the attack. An M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles and other munitions were seized from the site of Monday's encounter.
News18
10 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Bullet Shells Were Used To Confirm Identity Of Pahalgam Terrorists: What Is Ballistics Matching?
Last Updated: Amit Shah said bullets fired at Pahalgam were matched with those found in rifles of Dachigam terrorists. What is ballistics matching, how are bullet shells compared? Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday confirmed that three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack — Suleiman, Afghani and Gibran — were gunned down by security forces as part of Operation Mahadev in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. Among the steps taken by the government to confirm their identities was ballistics matching. What is it? How is it done? What Amit Shah said Explaining how the government confirmed that these three terrorists were involved in the Pahalgam attack, the Home Minister said, 'The National Investigation Agency (NIA) earlier arrested those who sheltered these terrorists. When their bodies were brought to Srinagar, we got them to identify the bodies." For further confirmation, he said, forensic reports of bullet shells recovered from the Pahalgam attack site, which were ready, were used. 'After these terrorists were killed, their rifles were seized. One was an M9, the other two were AK-47s. We got these rifles flown to Chandigarh central FSL (forensic science laboratory) on a special plane. We generated empty bullet shells by firing these rifles and then matched them with those found in Pahalgam. It was then confirmed that these three rifles were used to murder innocent civilians in Pahalgam," Shah said, adding, 'There is no room for doubt. I am holding the ballistics report, six scientists have cross-checked it and confirmed to me over video call that the bullets fired at Pahalgam and the bullets fired from these guns are a 100 per cent match." What is ballistics matching? It is a forensic science technique used to determine whether a specific firearm was used to fire a particular bullet or cartridge case. It's a key tool in criminal investigations involving guns. Every gun leaves unique microscopic marks on bullets and shell casings when it's fired. These marks are like a 'fingerprint" made by: The barrel (leaves striations on the bullet) The firing pin, breech face, and ejector/extractor (leave marks on the cartridge case) Ballistics experts compare these marks to match a bullet or casing to a specific gun. What are the types of ballistics involved? 1. Internal Ballistics: What happens inside the gun when it's fired (not usually used for matching). 2. External Ballistics: The bullet's path after leaving the gun (used for trajectory analysis, not matching). 3. Terminal Ballistics: What the bullet does when it hits the target (used in injury analysis). 4. Forensic Ballistics / Toolmark Analysis: This is what ballistics matching refers to — analysing the tool marks left by the firearm. What are the key forensic tests to match bullets or shells to a specific firearm? Test-firing the suspect firearm: The recovered gun is fired in a controlled environment (often into a long water tank to avoid deforming the bullet) to generate known reference bullets and casings for comparison. Microscopic Comparison: A dual-lens microscope shows the reference and recovered samples side by side, enabling analysts to spot matching striations, impressions, and microscopic marks at once. Bullet analysis relies on rifling patterns—lands, grooves, and barrel imperfections create a 'signature" on each bullet that passes through the barrel. Cartridge case analysis focuses on toolmarks from the firing pin, breech face, extractor, and ejector, which also produce unique microscratches or impressions on each case. Class characteristics: General features shared by many firearms of the same type, such as rifling twist, caliber, or number of lands & grooves—they help narrow down the possible weapon class. Individual characteristics: Microscopic, uniquely formed marks due to manufacturing and wear. These enable examiners to determine if a bullet or case came from a specific firearm. Automated Ballistics Systems (IBIS / NIBIN): Many labs use the Integrated Ballistics Identification System (IBIS)—such as NIBIN in the U.S.—to digitally capture and compare images of bullets/casings across large databases. These systems flag possible matches for further human review. Advanced 3D Imaging: Some labs employ 3D surface topography imaging to generate highly detailed digital models of toolmark patterns. These enhance matching accuracy versus traditional 2D imaging. Databases like the NIST Ballistics Toolmark Research Database also support research and refinement of automated matching methods using 3D data. Supporting Analyses: Gunshot residue (GSR) on clothing or hands can suggest if a particular firearm was recently fired (though it doesn't confirm bullet-gun match). Fingerprints or DNA may also be recovered from the firearm or spent cartridges, providing additional investigative leads. With Agency Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ...Read More Get Latest Updates on Movies, Breaking News On India, World, Live Cricket Scores, And Stock Market Updates. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Amit Shah news18 specials pahalgam terror attack view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: July 29, 2025, 18:08 IST News explainers Bullet Shells Were Used To Confirm Identity Of Pahalgam Terrorists: What Is Ballistics Matching? Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
14 hours ago
- Business Standard
NIA launches probe into killing of Pahalgam attack mastermind in encounter
A team of NIA sleuths on Tuesday launched a probe into the killing of the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack and his two associates in an encounter with security forces near Srinagar, officials said here. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team arrived at the Police Control Room (PCR) here early Tuesday for the identification of the bodies of the three terrorists, they said. In a major breakthrough, the Army's elite para commandos on Monday gunned down Sulieman alias Asif, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 attack, along with two of his associates, in an encounter at Mulnar in Harwan area near Dachigam National Park here. The security forces launched a surprise action, codenamed 'Operation Mahadev', following a technical signal indicating the use of a satellite phone that was used by the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack. The other terrorists killed in the action have been identified as Jibran, who was allegedly involved in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack last year, and Hamza Afghani. As many as 26 people, mostly tourists, were shot dead by terrorists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which prompted the armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan. The bodies of the slain terrorists were brought from the encounter site to the PCR here late Monday. The NIA team is taking witnesses in batches of two to three people "for ensuring a cent per cent confirmation that the slain terrorists include Sulieman Shah", officials said. Meanwhile, the operation is ongoing as intelligence inputs have suggested the presence of another group of terrorists in the area, officials said. Jibran was allegedly involved in the terror strike at the Sonamarg tunnel project at Gagangir in October last year. Seven people, including a doctor, were killed in the attack. An M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles and other munitions were seized from the site of Monday's encounter. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
