In a significant breakthrough for counter-terror efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on Monday launched a massive anti-terror operation in the Lidwas area near Dara, on the outskirts of Srinagar, following specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the region. The ongoing operation, codenamed 'Operation Mahadev', has so far resulted in the elimination of three Pakistani terrorists, all affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), according to the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The operation began around 11 AM after security forces, including the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and J&K Police, established contact with the suspected terrorists in the Harwan region, near Dachigam National Park, a densely forested area known for its challenging terrain and trekking routes.
According to a statement issued by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, “Three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation continues.” The statement confirmed that contact was first made in the general area of Lidwas, and additional reinforcements were rushed to the scene to bolster the search and engagement efforts.
SSP Srinagar GV Sundeep Chakravarty confirmed the identities of the slain militants, stating, “All three were Pakistani nationals and members of Lashkar-e-Taiba.” However, he added that it was too early to confirm whether the trio had a direct role in the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. “We are still identifying and ascertaining their roles,” he said.
To strengthen the operation in the rugged forest region, drones have been deployed for aerial surveillance, and more personnel were brought in to secure the perimeter and assist in the final stages of the search. The Mulnar area of Harwan, close to the encounter site, was thoroughly combed by combined security forces.
“OP MAHADEV – Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Operation in progress,” the Chinar Corps posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle earlier in the day.
Following the devastating Pahalgam terror attack in April, which shocked the nation, security forces have been conducting large-scale intelligence-led operations to locate and neutralise those behind the massacre. Intelligence agencies had received inputs in recent weeks that some of the perpetrators may have moved towards the Dachigam region, just 20 kilometers from Srinagar, prompting focused search operations in the area.
While authorities are yet to establish a concrete link between Monday’s encounter and the Pahalgam attack, defence sources have not ruled out the possibility. “We are investigating all angles,” a senior Army officer stated.
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