Srinagar, April 21: Dr. Farooq Abdullah, President of the National Conference (NC), described the horrific Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025, as a significant setback for Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking to the media in the Bijbehara town of Anantnag, Dr. Abdullah paid tribute to the 26 innocent civilians who were killed by Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Pahalgam.
The Pahalgam terror attack brought India and Pakistan to the brink of war, prompting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to grant full authority to the armed forces to retaliate against these killings.
In “Operation Sindoor,” Indian armed forces targeted terrorist hideouts near Lahore in Muridke, Bahawalpur, and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These strikes were conducted without crossing the border. Following this, Pakistan escalated tensions by attacking civilian and military targets in India.
In Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, indiscriminate shelling from the Pakistani side resulted in the deaths of 14 civilians, including a senior government official. The shelling also destroyed a mosque, a temple, a gurdwara, and a church.
India responded by attacking Pakistani defense installations, including military airbases, damaging 18 such sites.
The terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were neutralized by the army and Jammu and Kashmir police in July 2025 during “Operation Mahadev.” This operation took place at the foothills of Mahadev Mountain, near Dachigam National Park on the outskirts of Srinagar.
“Operation Mahadev,” launched after the brutal attack in Pahalgam, exemplified India’s resolve against terrorism. After 93 days of relentless searching, justice was finally served to the victims.
Based on eyewitness testimonies and intelligence inputs, Suleiman Shah, Hamza Afghani, and Jibran Bhai were identified as the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, all linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“Operation Mahadev” was one of the largest anti-terrorism campaigns in recent years. Security forces swiftly acted to seal all escape routes for the terrorists, preventing their exit from the Kashmir Valley.
Intelligence agencies utilized a mix of human intelligence, technical intelligence, and statements from survivors to monitor the attackers’ activities.
As the operation progressed, the terrorists were tracked to the upper regions of South Kashmir, including Hapatnar, Bugmarg, and Tral. Eventually, they sought refuge in dense forests near Mahadev Ridge close to Dachigam.
The rugged terrain, characterized by high peaks and thick bushes, slowed the movement of security forces but also helped limit the search area.
On July 28, 2025, after nearly three months of pursuit over more than 250 kilometers, a “Para” (Special Forces) team executed a precise and planned operation deep within the dense forests.
Moving cautiously and quietly for hours, the team encircled and eliminated all three terrorists, ensuring that those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre faced justice.
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