Operation Mahadev: Indian Army Eliminates 3 LeT Terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir’s Dara Region

Operation Mahadev is a major counter-terror operation initiated by the Indian security personnel in Jammu and Kashmir’s Lidwas-Dara area, intending to neutralise terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in April 2025. The operation led to the death of three Pakistani terrorists from the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Operated by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, in association with the CRPF and J&K Police, this operation is a testament to India’s unflinching commitment towards eradicating cross-border terrorism.

What is Operation Mahadev?

Operation Mahadev is a collaborative counter-terror operation by Indian security forces, namely the Indian Army (Chinar Corps), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police. It was initiated after actionable intelligence indicating that terrorists who carried out the Pahalgam terror attack had shifted to the forest-covered areas of Dachigam National Park and the Dara area, just 20 km away from Srinagar.
The operation is titled “Mahadev” after the hilly terrain of the region and the religious connotation of the place around the Mahadev peak in Kashmir.

Operation Mahadev: Key Highlights

• Location: Lidwas area near Dara and Harwan in Jammu and Kashmir

• Operation Launched: July 27–28, 2025

• Forces Involved: Indian Army (24 RR & 4 PARA), CRPF, J&K Police

• Outcome: 3 Pakistani LeT terrorists neutralised

• Support: Drone surveillance and multi-layered intelligence

• Status: Operation continues with search and combing operations underway

How the Operation Unfolded

1. Intelligence Input: Over the past month, intelligence agencies intercepted suspicious communication from deep inside the Dachigam forest, suggesting movement of foreign terrorists suspected to be linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack.

2. Ground Surveillance: Local nomads and villagers in the Dara and Harwan areas reported movement of unfamiliar individuals, prompting ground-level verification by security forces.

3. Forces Mobilised: A joint team of 24 Rashtriya Rifles, 4 PARA Commandos, CRPF, and SOG of J&K Police was deployed to Lidwas and surrounding areas.

4. Contact and Encounter: At 11 AM on July 28, contact was established with three terrorists hiding in a makeshift forest hideout under heavy foliage. In a swift and intense firefight, all three terrorists were neutralised.

5. Identification and Recovery: According to SSP Srinagar GV Sundeep Chakravarty, all three slain terrorists were Pakistani nationals affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. Their exact role in the Pahalgam attack is under investigation. Arms, ammunition, and digital devices were recovered from the site.

Pahalgam Attack Connection

The April 22, 2025, terror attack in Baisaran Valley’s Pahalgam killed 26 civilians, including women and children. The most brutal civilian massacre in years, the attack was claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Even though Operation Sindoor — initiated in retaliation — targeted terror camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and killed more than 100 terrorists, the masterminds within Indian territory were still on the loose.
Operation Mahadev has been purported to be a follow-up operation to locate and neutralize the operational group responsible for the massacre.

Strategic Significance of the Dara Region

The Dara-Harwan-Dachigam belt has intractable terrain, dense forests, and sparse habitation, and hence is an excellent hideout for infiltrating terrorists. Its location near Srinagar and key tourist destinations such as Pahalgam and Gulmarg makes it even more strategically vulnerable.

The Indian Army has stepped up foot patrols, technical surveillance, and nomadic contact in this area under long-term area domination schemes.

Official Statements

• Chinar Corps (via X): “OP MAHADEV – Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Three terrorists neutralised. Operation continues.”

• SSP Srinagar: “All three terrorists were Pakistani and belonged to LeT. Their direct link to the Pahalgam attack is under investigation.”

Operation Mahadev: Why It Matters

• Eliminated foreign terrorists operating deep inside Indian territory

• Possible breakthrough in solving the Pahalgam massacre

• Reinforced inter-agency coordination among Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police

• Strengthened local intelligence network through community involvement

Conclusion

Operation Mahadev marks a major milestone in India’s anti-terrorism campaign in Jammu & Kashmir. The decisive neutralization of three Pakistani LeT terrorists is a testament to the readiness and synergy of Indian security forces. As searches go on to assert their connection to the Pahalgam attack, the message is clear and loud — India will not rest until justice is met. The operation is still underway, and troops are persisting in seeking other members of the terror module who remain elusive in the forest surroundings.

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