Hashim Musa, Suspected Pahalgam Attack Mastermind, Killed Along With Two Others: Sources

Pahalgam Attack Suspect Hashim Musa Among 3 Terrorists Killed Near Srinagar: Operation Mahadev.

Hashim Musa, alias Suleman — the alleged mastermind behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack — is believed to be among three terrorists killed in a fierce encounter with Indian Army Special Forces near Srinagar on Monday, officials said.

The operation, code-named Operation Mahadev, was launched in the dense forests of Harwan near Dachigam, following weeks of coordinated intelligence tracking. While three bodies have been recovered, officials said formal identification is still underway. The other two slain militants are suspected to be Abu Hamza alias Harris and Yasir, both allegedly affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terror group.

“The operation is ongoing. We’ve observed three bodies, but identification will take time,” said IGP Kashmir VK Birdi.

Breakthrough via Satellite Phone Intercept

According to top intelligence sources, the operation was triggered by renewed activity on a Huawei satellite phone that had been under surveillance since the deadly Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. The device had remained inactive for months, but a suspicious call made over the weekend led security forces to zero in on a hideout deep within Dachigam forest, about 20 km from central Srinagar.
Gunfight in the Mountains

The area, known for its challenging terrain and proximity to strategic zones like Sonmarg and Pahalgam, has increasingly become a route for militants to evade detection. Officials said Musa had significantly altered his appearance to avoid being identified — reportedly losing weight and changing his hairstyle and beard.

Security forces launched a swift assault based on GPS coordinates, leading to a prolonged gunfight in which all three terrorists were neutralised. The Chinar Corps confirmed the operation on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”
Arms and Ammunition Seized

A large cache of arms and supplies was recovered from the site, including:

• Two AK-pattern rifles
• One M4 carbine
• 17 under-barrel grenades
• Ammunition
• Rations, utensils, warm clothing, and blankets

Dachigam’s Strategic Significance

Security analysts say Dachigam’s geography provides a natural corridor between central and south Kashmir, making it an attractive route for cross-regional militant movement. Terror groups often exploit the terrain and coerce supplies from nomadic communities, delaying security response and complicating surveillance.

While confirmation of identities is awaited, the encounter marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on terror networks operating across Jammu and Kashmir.