In a significant counter-terrorism operation, Indian security forces successfully neutralised three terrorists in the Lidwas area near Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, as part of Operation Mahadev. The joint operation, involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was launched following precise intelligence inputs about terrorist activity in the region.
The operation began early Monday morning in the Mulnar area of Harwan, close to the Dachigam National Park, after reports of suspicious movement. As security forces moved to cordon off the area, they encountered heavy resistance, leading to an intense firefight. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, based in Srinagar, provided real-time updates on the operation via its official X account, stating, “OP MAHADEV - Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Operation in progress.” A subsequent update confirmed the elimination of the threats: “Three terrorist have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues.”
The operation targeted high-value foreign terrorists, suspected to be affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, though their identities remain undisclosed pending further investigation. Some reports suggest a possible connection to the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, but official confirmation is still awaited. Security forces have described the operation as a critical step in dismantling terrorist networks in the region. The Chinar Corps emphasised ongoing efforts, noting that additional combing operations are underway to ensure no further threats remain in the area. The rugged terrain of the Dachigam Forest presented challenges, but the coordinated efforts of the Army, police, and CRPF, bolstered by Special Forces, ensured the success of the mission.
Operation Mahadev comes amid heightened security measures in Jammu and Kashmir, following increased intelligence about potential infiltration attempts across the Line of Control. 26 people were killed on April 22, as terrorists opened firing at tourists in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley. India had launched a decisive military operation - ‘Operation Sindoor’ targeting terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan occupied Kashmir killing more than 100 terrorists, as confirmed by Modi government. A confirmation is still awaited as whether the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, have been neutralised, caught or identified as yet.
