Top Lashkar-e-Taiba Terrorist Killed in Harwan Encounter; Linked to Pahalgam Attack

Three Militants Eliminated Near Srinagar in Operation Mahadev

In a major breakthrough, Indian security forces gunned down three Pakistani terrorists, including Sulemani Shah, a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative believed to be the mastermind behind the April Pahalgam attack. The encounter took place in the Harwan area near Srinagar on Monday, following a high-intensity operation dubbed Operation Mahadev.

Retaliation for the Pahalgam Massacre

Officials confirmed that Sulemani Shah played a leading role in the brutal April 22 attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 people, including 25 tourists and a local pony handler. Considered possibly a Pakistani Army commando-turned-terrorist, Shah had evaded capture for months before being tracked down.

Intelligence and Surveillance Led to the Breakthrough

The operation began on July 18, when Indian intelligence agencies intercepted suspicious communication near Dachigam National Park. The chatter, linked to the Pahalgam case, prompted an intensive joint operation involving both ground forces and technological surveillance.

The turning point came around 2 AM on Monday, when agencies detected a signal from an encrypted T82 ultrasat device, revealing the terrorists’ precise location. By 11:30 AM, personnel from 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para Commandos closed in on the group in the dense Lidwas-Mulnar forests, triggering a fierce gunfight that led to the elimination of all three terrorists.

Weapons and Equipment Recovered from the Site

Post-encounter, forces recovered an M4 carbine, two AK-47 rifles, grenades, ammunition, and other incriminating materials from the militants’ hideout. Authorities have not yet disclosed the identities of the two other slain terrorists.

Local Suspects May Help in Identification

Security agencies may call upon Parvez Ahmad Jothar and Bashir Ahmad Jothar, two locals arrested last month for allegedly sheltering the attackers, to help identify the deceased. An officer noted that the duo’s interrogation had already yielded valuable intelligence, and their input could confirm key details about the operation.

Strategic Win Amid Cross-Border Tensions

This successful strike is being seen as a major security win for Jammu and Kashmir, potentially disrupting LeT’s cross-border terror network. With Indo-Pak tensions still high, the operation sends a strong message about India’s counter-terror capabilities. Investigations are ongoing to determine if more individuals were involved in aiding the terrorists.