Three militants killed in Dachigam encounter, Slain likely linked to Pahalgam massacre

July 28, 2025 by News Desk

Three militants were killed on Monday during in an ongoing encounter in the Lidwas area of Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar, as part of the Army-led Operation Mahadev.

The operation, which began early in the morning, involved joint teams of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

The Army confirmed the killings and said the operation is still underway in the dense forest area.

Sources told The Kashmiriyat that the militants killed may be linked to the group responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack in April this year.

While authorities have not officially confirmed their identities, preliminary reports run by serval New Delhi based newspaper outlets suggest a strong possibility that these militants belonged to the same module.

The search operation continues in the area to ensure no other militants are hiding in the vicinity.

Quoting sources, India Today reported, “Three suspected Pakistani terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people were shot dead by security forces during Operation Mahadev in the Lidwas area near Mount Mahadev, Srinagar.”

On April 22, terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, killing at least 26 people, including several women and children, in one of the deadliest attacks in the region in recent years.

Investigations led by national security agencies, including the NIA, pointed to a Lashkar-e-Taiba module operating under The Resistance Front (TRF), allegedly with backing from across the border.

The attackers were identified as Hashim Musa, a former Pakistani Army commando; Talha, a Pakistani national; and Adil Hussain Thoker, a local Kashmiri who reportedly received training outside India.

Official sources told The Kashmiriyat that three Pakistani terrorists have reportedly been killed in the ongoing Operation Mahadev in the Lidwas area of Harwan on the outskirts of Srinagar.

According to these sources, the slain militants have been identified as Abu Hamza, Mohammad Yasir, and Shah Suleiman, who is also known by the alias Hashim Musa. All three are believed to be foreign nationals and affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Security forces had launched a wide-ranging manhunt for the attackers since April, and multiple raids had been conducted in South and Central Kashmir over the past three months.

Rewards of up to ₹20 lakh were announced for credible information on their whereabouts. While DNA and forensic tests are pending, officials are looking closely at Monday’s encounter as a possible breakthrough in the investigation.

Operation Mahadev is ongoing, and forces continue to comb the rugged terrain of Lidwas and surrounding forested areas in search of any remaining militants.

Authorities are expected to release further details after the bodies are identified and other evidence is collected from the site.