Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced in Parliament on Monday that all three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam terror attack have been neutralized in a swift counter-terror operation named Operation Mahadev. The announcement came during a high-security session in which Shah briefed both houses on the evolving situation in Jammu and Kashmir, assuring the nation that the government remains committed to eliminating terrorism from the region.
The Pahalgam attack, which occurred earlier this month, targeted an army convoy in the usually peaceful tourist region of South Kashmir. It resulted in injuries to several soldiers and heightened security concerns ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra. According to source, intelligence agencies had quickly traced the involvement of LeT militants, setting in motion a joint operation by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police.
Operation Mahadev was launched based on pinpointed human and technical intelligence. In less than 72 hours, security forces cornered the militants in a forested area near Kokernag in Anantnag district. A fierce gunbattle followed, lasting several hours. All three militants were killed in the encounter, and their identities were later confirmed through forensic and biometric data (source).
Amit Shah commended the security forces for their “swift and decisive response,” adding that such coordinated operations are critical in dismantling terror networks operating in the Valley. He emphasized that the Centre has adopted a zero-tolerance policy toward terrorism and will not allow Pakistan-backed groups to destabilize peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The successful completion of Operation Mahadev is a clear message to terrorist outfits and their sponsors across the border. We will not rest until peace is restored permanently,” Shah stated on the Parliament floor.
The Home Minister also noted that since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, terrorist incidents in the region have significantly declined. However, attempts to infiltrate and carry out high-profile attacks continue, particularly in sensitive regions like South Kashmir. Shah reiterated that development and security go hand in hand, and the government will continue to invest in infrastructure, intelligence, and employment opportunities to further stabilize the region (source).
Opposition leaders welcomed the news of the operation’s success, though some called for a detailed review of the security lapses that allowed the Pahalgam attack to take place. Civilian movement in Pahalgam and surrounding areas has since resumed, and tourist activity is gradually returning to normal, reports source.
With the neutralization of these militants, security agencies are now focusing on dismantling sleeper cells and cross-border support networks that continue to supply arms and funding to terror groups. Surveillance has been intensified across entry routes, and checkpoints are being strengthened ahead of major national holidays and religious pilgrimages.
Operation Mahadev stands as a reminder of both the ongoing threat and the tireless efforts of India’s security forces. The government has reaffirmed its stance that every act of terror will be met with an unwavering and forceful response.