During a discussion in parliament about Operation Sindoor, Home Minister Amit Shah made a significant announcement. He revealed that the three terrorists eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the same ones who executed the Pahalgam attack on April 22, 2025. But how can the security forces be so confident that these were the same assailants?
The Home Minister explained that identification was executed with great precision. Let’s understand the process of identifying Pahalgam's terrorists.
Starting with Human Intelligence: Food and Shelter Led the Way
The success story of Operation Mahadev began not with bullets, but with food and shelter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had previously apprehended individuals in Kashmir who were harboring the terrorists. These were locals who provided food, shelter, and logistical support to the militants. Their interrogation revealed meetings with three terrorists and provided detailed information about them.
Read More: Discover the Special Features of the US Assault Rifle Used by the Terrorists Killed in Operation Mahadev
Source: aajtak
Once Operation Mahadev concluded and the terrorists were neutralized, these locals were brought to identify the deceased, confirming they were the same individuals they had provided shelter to. This was the first step in human intelligence identification.
Forensic Examination: Guns, Bullets, and Science Revealed the Truth
Even after human testimony, the security forces needed forensic evidence to expel all doubt. The two AK-47 rifles and an M9 carbine recovered during the operation were promptly sent to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh.
Experts there conducted ballistic tests by comparing shell casings and projectiles with those found at the Pahalgam attack site. By 4 a.m., CFSL released their final report confirming that the bullets fired from the seized weapons were indeed used in the Pahalgam attack. This scientific evidence eliminated any lingering doubts.
Read More: Dachiagam Encounter Reveals Terrorists Mastermind Behind Pahalgam Attack
Evidence from the Site: Direct Indications of Foreign Origin
After neutralizing the terrorists, the security forces did not stop. The combined team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies commenced an immediate site investigation. They meticulously examined the bodies, weapons, satellite phones, and documents recovered from the terrorists.
Among the findings, the possession of Pakistani voter ID numbers by two terrorists was verified through intelligence sources. Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that this evidence confirmed the foreign origin of the terrorists.
Caution Precedence: Awaiting the Briefing
Following the success of Operation Mahadev, GOC Chinar Corps planned a briefing in Srinagar at 5 p.m., which was postponed. The security forces avoided haste, waiting for CFSL Chandigarh's final report. Only after receiving the ballistic test results at 4 a.m. did the government officially announce that the neutralized terrorists were responsible for the Pahalgam massacre.
Read More:
Multilayered Investigation: Intelligence, Forensics, and Technology
The entire operation involved multiple layers of work...
Human Intelligence: NIA conducted 3,000 hours of interviews with 1,055 individuals and created sketches based on suspicions.
Forensic Science: Examination of weapons and bullet matching cemented identification.
Digital Tracking: Satellite phones and intelligence inputs were instrumental in pinpointing the terrorists' locations.
The Home Minister revealed that out of the 10 terrorists eliminated in Operation Sindoor, 8 had also been involved in attacks during the UPA regime. This multifaceted investigation demonstrates that the Indian security forces not only launched a retaliatory strike but delivered precise justice to the right culprits.
