5 Key Facts About Suleiman Shah, Mastermind of the Pahalgam Attack Killed in J&K Encounter

In a major counter-terror operation, Indian security forces on Monday gunned down three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, during a fierce encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, a joint team of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched Operation Mahadev in the Lidwas area near Dara, close to Dachigam National Park. The terrain, known for its rugged high-altitude forest cover, was being monitored by drones during the operation.

The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army confirmed the neutralisation of three terrorists via a post on X (formerly Twitter):

“Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.”

Suleiman Shah aka Hashim Moosa: Key Militant Eliminated

Sources have identified one of the slain militants as Suleiman Shah, also known by the alias Hashim Moosa. Shah was the mastermind of the brutal Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, primarily targeting tourists in the Baisaran area.

Key facts about Suleiman Shah:

• Former Pakistan Army personnel, according to reports by NDTV.

• Linked to the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

• A ₹20 lakh reward had been announced by the Jammu and Kashmir Police for credible leads on his whereabouts.

• Believed to have been hiding in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district in the weeks following the Pahalgam incident.

Operation Still Underway

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Vidhi Kumar Birdi, addressed the media, confirming the progress but cautioned against premature conclusions:

“It is a prolonged operation and is still continuing in the higher reaches. Preliminary visuals show three bodies. However, identification will take time. We will share confirmed details at an appropriate time. The security teams are still deployed inside the operation zone.”

With the neutralisation of Shah and his associates, security officials view this as a major success in India’s counter-terror efforts, especially in the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam attack. However, the operation is ongoing, and more militants may be hiding in the area, officials added.