Ex-Pak Army Commando-Turned-Terrorist Suleiman Shah Killed In Srinagar Encounter

Ex-Pak Army Commando-Turned-Terrorist Suleiman Shah Killed In Srinagar Encounter

Security forces eliminate Pahalgam attack mastermind and two terrorists in a major breakthrough under Operation Mahadev

🔴 What Happened

After over three months of intense manhunt, Indian security forces have neutralized Suleiman Shah, also known as Hashim Musa, the key mastermind behind the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians on April 22.

Shah, a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operative and former Pakistani Army commando, was gunned down near Srinagar during a high-stakes encounter under Operation Mahadev, along with two other heavily armed foreign terrorists.

⚔️ Who Was Suleiman Shah?

  • A former member of Pakistan Army’s Special Service Group (SSG)
  • Joined Lashkar-e-Taiba, led by UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed
  • Infiltrated India in September 2023
  • Carried out multiple terror attacks across South Kashmir

🧨 Terror Activities Linked to Shah

  • Pahalgam (April 2024): 26 civilians shot dead in Baisaran valley
  • South Kashmir Tunnel Project Attack (Oct 2024): 7 civilian workers killed
  • Baramulla Attack: 4 security personnel martyred
  • Linked to at least six major terror strikes, per intel sources

🚨 Operation Mahadev: A Joint Counter-Terror Offensive

Launched by a combined team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, Operation Mahadev targeted high-value foreign terrorists hiding in the Mulnar area of Harwan, a dense forest region.

Key Takeaways:

  • 3 terrorists eliminated, including Suleiman Shah
  • Large cache of arms recovered: AK-47s, carbines, 17 rifle grenades, and more
  • Hideout visuals accessed show weapons stockpiled in preparation for a major assault
  • House-to-house search operations were conducted post-Pahalgam attack to trace Shah

💥 Background: India’s Precision Retaliation – Operation Sindoor

In response to the Pahalgam massacre, India carried out precision air strikes on May 6–7, targeting terrorist hubs inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Operation Sindoor Highlights:

  • Named as a tribute to widowed women from the Pahalgam attack
  • Nine terror infrastructure sites hit across Pakistan and PoK
  • Targeted groups: LeT, Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen
  • Notable strike locations:
    • Muridke (LeT HQ run by Hafiz Saeed)
    • Bahawalpur (JeM base led by Masood Azhar)

🎯 Why This Matters

  • Marks a major strategic win in India’s counter-terrorism efforts
  • Demonstrates the reach and effectiveness of coordinated intelligence and military operations
  • Sends a strong message about India’s zero-tolerance policy on cross-border terrorism

Also Read : 3 High-Value Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev: J&K Hideout Revealed