In a significant success for anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on Monday neutralised three heavily armed militants in the Harwan area of Srinagar. The encounter, part of the ongoing Operation Mahadev, unfolded near the Lidwas region, close to Dachigam National Park, and is believed to be linked to the January Pahalgam massacre.
Joint Operation Launched in Forested Mulnar Region
Based on specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement, a joint team of the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a coordinated operation in the dense forest zone of Mulnar. As the troops advanced to cordon off the area, they came under sudden fire from hiding militants, sparking a fierce gunfight.
Three Terrorists Neutralised; Drones Used for Confirmation
In the intense exchange of fire, the forces swiftly responded and gunned down three terrorists. Drone surveillance was used to confirm the neutralisation. Officials noted that the operation is still underway, with credible suspicions of additional terrorists hiding in the area.
Links to Pahalgam Massacre Suspected
Initial investigations suggest that the eliminated terrorists may include individuals involved in the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 unarmed civilians were killed in cold blood. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy group, had claimed responsibility for the attack.
Sketches released after the Pahalgam killings had identified key suspects, including Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. Unverified sources from the ground now suggest that one of the slain militants may be Suleman Shah. Others are suspected to be known by pseudonyms such as Harris and Abu Hamza.
No Security Force Casualties; Two Militants May Have Escaped
Security forces reported no casualties among their ranks during the operation. However, two terrorists are believed to have sustained injuries and possibly escaped during the chaos, prompting an ongoing combing operation.
Operation Mahadev Amid Indo-Pak Tensions
The encounter comes in the wake of rising Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam massacre. The brutal attack had triggered India’s retaliatory military action under Operation Sindoor on May 7, involving targeted missile strikes on nine terrorist camps across the border. That brief escalation ended with a ceasefire on May 10.
Nationwide Focus on Counterterrorism Intensifies
The elimination of high-value targets in Harwan marks a crucial development in India’s larger strategy to dismantle terror infrastructure operating from across the border. Officials suggest this operation could deliver a serious blow to groups responsible for civilian massacres in the Kashmir Valley.
The identities of the slain militants are being verified through forensic and intelligence channels, while the search continues for other operatives possibly in hiding.
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