• Source:JND
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Srinagar Encounter, Operation Mahadev: The Elite commandos of the Indian Army on Monday shot dead the alleged mastermind of the Pahalgam terror attack, identified as Suleiman Shah alias Asif (Hashim Musa), during the Army's "Operation Mahadev" in the Harwan area of Srinagar near the Dachigam National Park.

Two more terrorists, identified as Jibran and Hamza Afghani, have also been neutralised by armed forces during the anti-militancy operation, which was launched after the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps received intelligence input about the presence of some 3-4 terrorists in the Mulnar area of Harwan.

According to news agency PTI, the slain terrorist, Jibran, was reportedly involved in the attack on the Sonamarg Tunnel project at Gagangir in October last year. One M4 carbine rifle, two AK rifles and other munitions were recovered from the site.

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Operation Mahadev was launched by the Indian Army after a technical signal that was similar to the device used by terrorists in Pahalgam. At around 1130 hours, one party comprising personnel from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para unit had detected the group of three terrorists and neutralised them by springing a surprise on them, an official said.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone) V K Birdi said it was a long-drawn operation which was going on till the last reports. "Three bodies have been sighted. It will be premature to comment on other details," Birdi said, adding that full details will be made public after the operation is over.

Earlier, the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps in a post on X said three terrorists were killed under Operation Mahadev. "Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues," the Chinar Corps of the Army said.

Who Was Suleiman Shah?

According to a report by news agency IANS, Suleiman alias Asif (Hashim Musa) was affiliated with the Pakistani Army's special forces commando squad before joining Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He is said to be a highly trained terrorist and was considered an "asset" of the ISI, Pakistan's Intelligence wing. The IANS report further stated that Suleiman led the attack squad in Pahalgam. He has been in the Valley since 2022 after having trained at the Muridke camp of the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

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According to NDTV, Suleiman illegally entered India in 2023 and began his terror activities in South Kashmir. He was reportedly also involved in the attack on security forces in Baramulla, in which four soldiers were killed in action. Apart from Pahalgam, Suleiman is reportedly involved in at least six terror attacks in Kashmir.