The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has initiated an investigation into the killing of Sulieman alias Asif, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. He was gunned down along with two associates in a high-intensity encounter with security forces in the Harwan area near Srinagar on July 28. The operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, was executed by the Indian Army’s elite para commandos in the rugged terrain of Dachigam forest.
A team of NIA officials arrived at the Police Control Room (PCR) in Srinagar on Tuesday to identify the bodies of the three slain terrorists. Officials said the agency is bringing in witnesses in small groups to confirm the identity of Sulieman with complete certainty.
The security forces launched Operation Mahadev after technical surveillance intercepted a satellite phone signal connected to the Pahalgam attack. Acting swiftly on the input, troops traced the source to the Mulnar area near Dachigam National Park and carried out the strike.
Apart from Sulieman, the two other terrorists neutralized have been identified as Jibran and Hamza Afghani. Jibran was allegedly involved in the deadly terror attack at the Sonamarg Tunnel project site in October 2024 that claimed seven lives, including that of a doctor. Hamza is believed to be a Pakistani national.
From the encounter site, security personnel recovered one M4 carbine, two AK-series rifles, and a cache of ammunition. The bodies were transported to the PCR late Monday evening.
As many as 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in the April 22 terror attack at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam. The incident led to the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, an extensive cross-border crackdown on terror infrastructure based in Pakistan.
The Army believes another terrorist group may be active in the surrounding forest region. Search operations are underway.
Meanwhile, political reactions have started pouring in. The Congress party has questioned the intelligence failure and raised concerns over the security lapses that allowed the Pahalgam attack to occur.
