More than three months after the April 22 terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, the families of the 26 victims have expressed a mix of sorrow and relief following the Indian Army’s killing of the prime accused in a fierce gunfight near Srinagar.
Under Operation Mahadev, Indian Army para commandos gunned down three Pakistani terrorists, including Suleman alias Asif, who officials say masterminded the brutal attack that targeted tourists and killed civilians, women, and children.
Vikas Kumrawat, whose elder brother Sushil Nathaniel was among the victims, said the family had been waiting for justice. “We were thinking for a long time why the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack had not been caught yet. We are very happy and relieved with the news of the army killing the mastermind,” he said.
In Karnal, Rajesh Narwal, father of Indian Navy officer Lt Vinay Narwal, who was killed while on his honeymoon, said, “I salute the Army, paramilitary, and J&K Police jawans for their bravery. They risked their lives and hunted down the terrorists. They must be honoured.”
Lt Narwal had recently married and was visiting Kashmir with his wife when the attack happened.
In Bhubaneswar, the wife of victim Prashant Satpathy said, “Those who are gone won’t return, but terror must end. We are proud of the Indian Army.”
According to officials, Operation Mahadev was launched after intelligence agencies traced a satellite phone signal linked to the Pahalgam attackers. The operation took place in the Lidwas area, near Srinagar.
Earlier, in May, India had launched Operation Sindoor to target terror camps across the Line of Control in retaliation for the Pahalgam massacre. The army struck at least nine terror facilities during the precision strikes.
