It has been one year since the brutal terror attack in Baisaran, Pahalgam, that claimed 26 lives and left the nation in shock. The attack triggered Operation Mahadev, a nearly three-month manhunt that tracked
and eliminated the attackers, underscoring India’s sustained counter-terror resolve.
The April 22, 2025 attack at Baisaran was marked by the targeted, execution-style killing of civilians on the basis of identity, triggering nationwide outrage and an immediate, coordinated response from security forces. Within hours, Army units reached the site and began reconstructing the sequence of events, setting the stage for a prolonged, intelligence-driven pursuit.
What followed was not a short-term crackdown, but a sustained operation that unfolded in stages: identification, tracking, containment and final engagement.
How Were The Pahalgam Attackers Identified Within Hours?
The first breakthrough came quickly.
Army units began piecing together the sequence of events almost immediately after reaching the site. Eyewitness testimonies, including those of survivors and personnel present at the location, provided initial leads, which were rapidly corroborated with technical inputs and existing intelligence records.
This phase relied on a combination of human intelligence (HUMINT), technical intelligence (TECHINT) and survivor-based identification.
The attackers were identified as three Pakistani terrorists— Suleiman alias Faizal Jat, Hamza Afgani and Jibran—linked to terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The speed of identification allowed the operation to shift seamlessly from response to pursuit, with no ambiguity over the targets.
How Did Security Forces Track The Attackers Across South Kashmir?
The immediate priority after identification was containment.
Security forces moved to seal likely escape routes, preventing exfiltration from the Kashmir Valley. In parallel, intelligence teams mapped movement corridors using “time-space-force analysis”—an approach that identified likely routes based on terrain, time gaps and available manpower, according to NDTV.
As inputs evolved, a clear pattern emerged.
The attackers were traced moving through the upper reaches of south Kashmir—Hapatnar, Bugmar and Tral—before gradually shifting towards the dense, high-altitude forests along the Mahadeo Ridge in Dachhigam. The terrain, marked by thick vegetation and steep gradients, provided temporary refuge but also restricted movement, narrowing possible routes.
How Did The Operation Expand As The Threat Grew?
With the movement pattern established, Operation Mahadev expanded in both scale and intensity.
Additional forces, including elite PARA (Special Forces) units, were inducted to intensify the hunt. The approaching Amarnath Yatra raised security concerns, with the possibility of interference prompting tighter operational grids and expanded deployment.
What followed was a sustained multi-agency effort involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, intelligence agencies and Central Armed Police Forces. Deployments were adjusted continuously based on real-time inputs, ensuring that the attackers remained under sustained pressure.
Technology played a decisive role in maintaining that pressure.
Drones, surveillance aircraft, remotely piloted platforms and electro-optical sensors were used extensively to monitor movement across dense forest zones. Continuous intelligence validation ensured that even in difficult terrain, the attackers remained under observation and their options steadily shrank.
This phase transformed the operation from a wide-area search into a controlled pursuit.
What Triggered The Final Phase Of Operation Mahadev?
The decisive shift came on July 10, 2025.
Fresh intelligence inputs led to coordinated operations across Lidwas, Harwan and Dachhigam. Forces were redeployed dynamically, and escape routes were systematically blocked, isolating the attackers within a confined zone.
By this stage, after weeks of sustained pressure, the operational grid had been compressed to around 25 square kilometres. The attackers were no longer moving freely but were effectively boxed into a heavily monitored area.
With the search space narrowed and surveillance tightened, the operation moved into its final stage.
How Were The Attackers Finally Eliminated?
On July 28, 2025, after a pursuit spanning over 250 kilometres and nearly three months, the final operation was executed deep inside the forested Dachhigam–Mahadeo Ridge belt.
A PARA (Special Forces) team undertook a stealthy approach through dense forest terrain, advancing approximately 3 kilometres on foot over nearly 10 hours. The slow, deliberate movement was aimed at maintaining surprise in a terrain that favoured concealment.
The engagement that followed was swift and precise.
All three terrorists were neutralised, bringing the pursuit to an end and closing the loop on the Pahalgam attack.
Indian Army’s Message On X
The Indian Army on Wednesday issued a strong message on X, asserting its firm resolve against acts targeting the nation.
In a post that underscored India’s counter-terror stance, the Army wrote, “For acts against India, the response is assured. Justice will be served. Always.”
Referencing last year’s counter-terror action, the post added, “Operation Mahadev – it was only a matter of time,” while reiterating that “Operation Sindoor continues.”
For acts against #India, the response is assured.
Justice will be served. Always.#SindoorAnniversary #JusticeEndures #NationFirst pic.twitter.com/w6PRIpp0bM
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) April 22, 2026
The message signals continuity in India’s security posture and reinforces the armed forces’ stated position that those responsible for terror acts against the country will be tracked down and brought to justice.
