Three suspected militants believed to be involved in the deadly Pahalgam attack in April were killed in an armed encounter with Indian forces on July 28, 2025, near Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir.
The joint operation was carried out by Indian Army personnel, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force under the codename Operation Mahadev.
India’s Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed the outcome of the operation in Parliament the following day, stating that all three suspects were Pakistani nationals linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group banned internationally for terror activities.
The men were believed to be responsible for the April 22 assault on tourists in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead.
According to Indian officials, rifles recovered from the militants were matched through forensic tests to those used in the April attack.
The investigation, conducted by the National Investigation Agency, also drew on digital records and witness accounts from local collaborators who had helped the gunmen move across the region.
The deceased militants were identified as Suleman (alias Hashim Musa), Jibran, and Hamza Afghani. One of them was reportedly a former Pakistani commando.
Their network was supported by overground workers in Kashmir, several of whom have already been arrested.
The operation concluded just outside the Dachigam area of Srinagar, after a brief but intense exchange of fire.
Authorities say the mission not only eliminated the direct perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack but also disrupted broader planning by terror cells operating from across the border.
The Indian government said it will continue to track down individuals and groups involved in cross-border militancy, with further actions expected based on ongoing intelligence.