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Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam terror mastermind Sulieman killed in encounter on Srinagar's outskirts, say officials
In a joint counter-terror operation on Monday, Indian Army para commandos shot dead three terrorists in the Harwan area near Dachigam Forest on the outskirts of Srinagar. Among those killed was Hashim Musa , also known as Suleman or Sulieman, who officials say was behind the deadly Pahalgam attack in April that left 26 people dead, including 25 tourists and a local resident. The Indian Army confirmed the operation, codenamed Mahadev, was launched after security forces picked up a satellite phone signal. The same device, according to officials, had been used by those involved in the Pahalgam massacre. 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It involved personnel from the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X, 'Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. The operation continues.' Senior police officials later confirmed the encounter was still ongoing and full identification would take time. 'Operation is still continuing. As per the interior reports, three bodies have been observed and seem to be neutralised. It will take us some time for identification, and parties are still inside,' said IGP Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, as reported by PTI. Live Events One of the other slain terrorists was identified as Jibran, who is suspected of taking part in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack last year. The third, Hamza Afghani, is believed to be a foreign fighter. Their movement had been under surveillance for nearly two weeks, and the breakthrough reportedly came from a tip-off by local nomads, as per India Today. Army praises troops, reinforces stand Following the successful strike in Harwan, the Army's Udhampur-based Northern Command issued a statement praising the action. Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Northern Command chief, said, 'Neutralising three terrorists' demonstrated the precision and readiness of the forces. He reiterated the Army's 'commitment to a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.' With the death of Musa, Indian forces believe they have dealt a serious blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba 's operations in the region. Security agencies are continuing searches in the area and further verification of identities is ongoing. The operation has raised new questions about how trained foreign fighters, including former military personnel, are crossing into Indian territory. Intelligence efforts now focus on tracing the wider network that supported Musa and his associates, especially within the Valley. For locals in the Harwan-Dachigam belt, the presence of heavily armed militants was a stark reminder of how close the conflict still lies to daily life. The return of large-scale attacks like Pahalgam has once again placed Kashmir's security situation under the spotlight. Who was Hashim Musa? Hashim Musa, also known as Suleiman or Sulieman, was no ordinary foot soldier. He had served in the Pakistan Army's elite Special Service Group before being dismissed from service. Intelligence sources believe he was later absorbed into Lashkar-e-Taiba and tasked with strengthening its operations in Kashmir. He was later dismissed from service and joined the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. His name surfaced during investigations into the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 dead. He was suspected of leading the group of foreign militants who carried it out. According to The New Indian Express, Musa may have been "loaned" by the Pakistan Army to LeT in order to transfer his commando skills to militants in Kashmir. These skills, which include guerrilla warfare, high-altitude navigation, and covert operations, made him an asset for cross-border terror operations. Sources told CNN-News18 that Musa infiltrated into India in September 2023 and had been operating under the radar. His identity came to light during the interrogation of 14 Kashmiri Over Ground Workers (OGWs), who are suspected of helping foreign terrorists plan and carry out the Pahalgam attack. One of the OGWs reportedly revealed Musa's background with the Pakistan Army and his link to LeT. These local workers are believed to have helped with logistics and reconnaissance in the lead-up to the April 22 massacre. In the days after the killings, Jammu and Kashmir Police had issued a public alert and announced a cash reward of Rs 20 lakh for any credible information on Suleiman's whereabouts. According to officials, he was highly trained in guerrilla tactics, high-altitude survival, and close combat. His military background and experience made him an asset for terror operations across the Valley. The Pahalgam attack On April 22, gunmen opened fire at tourists in the Baisaran meadows of Pahalgam. The incident left 26 people dead. The majority were tourists from other parts of India, visiting the popular destination during peak spring travel. One local was also killed. All victims were men. The scale and brutality of the attack triggered Operation Sindoor, India's response targeting terror infrastructure across the border in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The operation was launched on May 7. Monday's gun battle occurred while the Lok Sabha was debating Operation Sindoor. The timing has not gone unnoticed by political observers. While Monday's success may bring short-term relief, officials acknowledge that the broader fight against terrorism in the region is far from over.
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Mahadev: '3 killed in Srinagar, will take some time for identification' - What we know so far
Representative Image NEW DELHI: Security forces will "take some time" to identify the terrorists neutralised in the anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, a senior police officer said on Monday. "Operation is still continuing. As per the interior reports, three bodies have been observed and seem to be neutralised. It will take us some time for identification, and parties are still inside," IGP Kashmir Zone, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, told reporters. VK Birdi byte Birdi's statement came amid reports that the terrorists were involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, in which 25 tourists and a local - all men - were shot dead. Chinar Corps tweet Earlier, the Indian Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps announced the launch of the operation, later confirming that three terrorists had been killed. Here's what we know so far: The encounter broke out in the Harwan area near the Dachigam National Park of the Union territory's summer capital. The anti-terror operation has been named "Operation Mahadev." The gunfight took place on a day when the Lok Sabha is holding a debate on Operation Sindoor, India's retaliatory military strikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Indian Army's Udhampur-based Northern Command praised the Chinar Corps for their swift and precise action. Lieutenant general Pratik Sharma, the Northern Command chief, congratulated the forces for "neutralising three terrorists" and reiterated the Army's commitment to a terror-free Jammu and Kashmir.
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor not over, paused after Pakistan pleading: Rajnath Singh
UDHAMPUR/SRINAGAR: Operation Sindoor was paused only after Pakistan pleaded for a ceasefire, defence minister Rajnath Singh said Saturday, adding that the operation was not over yet, and India was ready to take any action against terrorism. Addressing troops of Army's Udhampur-based Northern Command on the 11th International Day of Yoga, Singh said: "Operation Sindoor is the natural progression of surgical strike of 2016 and the airstrike of 2019. It was executed in such a way that Pakistan requested for a ceasefire, and only then we put a pause. As I have said earlier, Operation Sindoor is not over yet. India is fully prepared to take all kinds of action against terrorism. " Singh warned Pakistan that the military operation - a response to the Pahalgam attack - was a clear message that it will face the consequences for supporting terror activities against India. Stating that the country's social and communal unity was targeted through the Pahalgam attack, Singh asserted that Operation Sindoor had conveyed to Pakistan that its policy of bleeding India with thousand cuts would not succeed. Pakistan wanted to weaken India from within, but it should never forget that just like Major Somnath Sharma, Brigadier Usman, too, had sacrificed his life for the unity and integrity of the country, Singh said. Singh appreciated the inclination of the armed forces towards yoga, saying it had a direct impact on their discipline and focus. "Yoga gives clarity to the people in chaos. It is an art, science, philosophy and spirituality. It makes us proactive, not reactive."
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Rajnath Singh briefed by top military brass on border security, arrangements for Amarnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received a comprehensive briefing from top Army officials in Jammu and Kashmir regarding the current security landscape. Discussions centered on border security, ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, and meticulous preparations for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra commencing in July. The Army is integral to the multi-layered security framework ensuring the Yatra's smooth and secure execution. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by top Army brass on Saturday on the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on border areas, anti-terrorist operations and the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to start next month, officials of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and other senior officers including commanding officers of all units attended the meeting at Udhampur-based northern command headquarters, they reached Udhampur headquarters of the northern command on a two-day visit on Friday and led the International Day of Yoga celebrations of the Armed Forces on Saturday morning, performing various asanas and breathing exercises with 2,500 the yoga session, the top Army brass briefed the defence minister on the prevailing security situation in the Union territory, the officials briefing focused on security in the border areas as well as the hinterland, especially anti-terrorist operations in forested areas. It also covered security arrangements made for the annual 38-day Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin in the South Kashmir Himalayas on July Army is part of the multi-tier security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the yatra, especially for combing the forests surrounding the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district besides the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
The Hindu
21-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Rajnath Singh briefed by top military brass on border security, arrangements for Amarnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by top Army brass on Saturday (June 21, 2025) on the prevailing security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with a focus on border areas, anti-terrorist operations and the Amarnath Yatra scheduled to start next month, officials said. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and other senior officers including commanding officers of all units attended the meeting at Udhampur-based northern command headquarters, they said. Singh reached Udhampur headquarters of the northern command on a two-day visit on Friday and led the International Day of Yoga celebrations of the Armed Forces on Saturday morning, performing various asanas and breathing exercises with 2,500 soldiers. After the yoga session, the top Army brass briefed the defence minister on the prevailing security situation in the Union territory, the officials said. The briefing focused on security in the border areas as well as the hinterland, especially anti-terrorist operations in forested areas. It also covered security arrangements made for the annual 38-day Amarnath Yatra scheduled to begin in the South Kashmir Himalayas on July 3. The Army is part of the multi-tier security arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the yatra, especially for combing the forests surrounding the twin tracks -- the traditional 48-kilometre Pahalgam route in Anantnag district and the 14-kilometre shorter but steeper Baltal route in Ganderbal district besides the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.
