Lidwa, Jammu and Kashmir:
The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps launched Operation Mahadev in the Lidwas (Mulnar), Harwan area near Dachigam National Park, Srinagar, acting on credible intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the region. The Army confirmed that contact had been established with suspected militants and reinforcements were dispatched to cordon off the area.
Encounter:
A gunfight ensued shortly after the operation began. After intense combat, at least three terrorists were killed by security forces in the encounter zone. Local officials confirmed the operation is still underway with ongoing search efforts underway in the cordoned off belt.
OP MAHADEV – Update
Three terrorist have been neutralised in an intense firefight. Operation Continues.#Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/5LToapGKuf
— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) July 28, 2025
Identification of the Terrorists:
Top intelligence sources have stated that the slain militants were foreign nationals affiliated with Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based terrorist group. The operation follows a month‑long intelligence-based tracking effort and is not connected to the April Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives and was carried out by TRF, an offshoot or proxy of LeT.
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Pahalgam Attack:
On April 22, 2025, five terrorists attacked Hindu tourists in Baisaran Valley, Pahalgam, killing 26 civilians and injuring around 20. While TRF initially claimed the attack, they later retracted the claim. Indian investigators concluded the attackers were Pakistani nationals linked to LeT. The incident escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, eventually triggering cross‑border precision strikes under Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
Current Status of Operation Mahadev:
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The cordoned area in Harwan remains under tight surveillance as forces continue their combing operation for any remaining hideouts or explosives.
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Officials indicate that 2 to 3 terrorists may still be at large, though casualties have already been reported.
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The Army is yet to issue a full post‑operation statement; updates are expected later in the day.
Confirmation of identities and affiliations of the deceased terrorists may come from official sources later today. It remains to be seen whether any militants from the Pahalgam attackers are part of this group some reports speculate a high probability, but no official recategorisation has been made yet
The Army is expected to release further operational details once the encounter concludes. This is a developing situation and more information is expected as the operation concludes and official briefings become available.
