How the Pahalgam terrorists were identified after Operation Mahadev
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How Pahalgam attackers were identified after Operation Mahadev
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India Today’s newsbreak that the three terrorists who were eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the ones responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. But how were the authorities so sure these were the same men? The Home Minister made the announcement and explained how extra caution was used while verifying the identity of these terrorists. With multi-layered intelligence, forensic science, human intelligence, and digital tracking, Indian security forces didn’t just strike back — they proved that they eliminated the exact individualsresponsible for the heinous Pahalagam attack. 8 out of the 10 terrorists eliminated inOperation Sindoor were also involved in attacks during the UPA era. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals in Kashmir who had aided the terrorists.
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India Today’s newsbreak that the three terrorists who were eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the ones responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. But how were the authorities so sure these were the same men? The Home Minister made the announcement and explained how extra caution was used while verifying the identity of these terrorists.
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TRACING TRAIL USING HUMAN INTELLIGENCE LAYER
The breakthrough began not with bullets but with food and shelter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals in Kashmir who had aided the terrorists. These locals had provided them food, shelter, and logistics. During interrogations, these men gave detailed accounts of the three terrorists they had encountered.
Later, after Operation Mahadev was completed, these individuals were brought in to visually identify the neutralised terrorists. They confirmed that the same men they had helped were now lying dead, killed by the forces.
FORENSIC CROSSCHECK BASED ON GUNS, SHELLS, SCIENCE
While human intelligence provided one layer of identification, the security agencies sought irrefutable forensic proof. The AK-47 rifles and an M9 Carbine recovered from the terrorists were immediately flown to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh.
There, experts conducted ballistic matching tests. At 4 AM, the CFSL issued its final report confirming that the bullets fired from the recovered weapons were a match to the shell casings and projectiles collected from the Pahalgam attack site. This scientific confirmation eliminated any doubt.
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE OPERATION SITE
Security forces didn’t leave it there.
As soon as the three terrorists were neutralised in Operation Mahadev, joint teams from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies launched an immediate on-ground verification process.
They thoroughly searched the bodies, weapons, satellite phones, and documents recovered. Among the seized items were thoroughly checked. There was enough evidence that confirmed foreign origin.
Two of the three terrorists were carrying Pakistani voter ID numbers, which were retrieved and verified by intelligence sources, according to the Home Minister.
STRATEGIC BRIEFING DELAYED UNTIL 100% CONFIRMATION
After the success of Operation Mahadev, a briefing was planned by the Chinar Corps GOC for 5 pm in Srinagar. But it was delayed. Why? Because the security forces chose caution over haste – they waited for final confirmation from CFSL Chandigarh.
Only after the ballistics test report at 4 am the next day did the Indian government officially confirm that the neutralised terrorists were the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre.
The Home Minister further revealed that 8 out of the 10 terrorists eliminated in Operation Sindoor were also involved in attacks during the UPA era. With multi-layered intelligence, forensic science, human intelligence, and digital tracking, Indian security forces didn’t just strike back — they proved that they eliminated the exact individuals responsible for the heinous Pahalgam attack.
– Ends
Published By: Avijit Das Published On: Jul 29, 2025
How Pahalgam attackers were identified after Operation Mahadev
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India Today’s newsbreak that the three terrorists who were eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the ones responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. The breakthrough began not with bullets but with food and shelter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals in Kashmir who had aided the terrorists. These locals had provided them food, shelter, and logistics. They confirmed that the same men they had helped were now lying dead, killed by the forces. With multi-layered intelligence, forensic science, human intelligence, and digital tracking, Indian security forces didn’t just strike back — they proved that they eliminated the exact individualsresponsible for the heinous Pahaltam attack.
Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed India Today’s newsbreak that the three terrorists who were eliminated in Operation Mahadev were the ones responsible for the Pahalgam attack on April 22. But how were the authorities so sure these were the same men? The Home Minister made the announcement and explained how extra caution was used while verifying the identity of these terrorists.
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Read More
TRACING TRAIL USING HUMAN INTELLIGENCE LAYER
The breakthrough began not with bullets but with food and shelter. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had already arrested individuals in Kashmir who had aided the terrorists. These locals had provided them food, shelter, and logistics. During interrogations, these men gave detailed accounts of the three terrorists they had encountered.
Later, after Operation Mahadev was completed, these individuals were brought in to visually identify the neutralised terrorists. They confirmed that the same men they had helped were now lying dead, killed by the forces.
FORENSIC CROSSCHECK BASED ON GUNS, SHELLS, SCIENCE
While human intelligence provided one layer of identification, the security agencies sought irrefutable forensic proof. The AK-47 rifles and an M9 Carbine recovered from the terrorists were immediately flown to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh.
There, experts conducted ballistic matching tests. At 4 AM, the CFSL issued its final report confirming that the bullets fired from the recovered weapons were a match to the shell casings and projectiles collected from the Pahalgam attack site. This scientific confirmation eliminated any doubt.
PHYSICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE OPERATION SITE
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Security forces didn’t leave it there.
As soon as the three terrorists were neutralised in Operation Mahadev, joint teams from the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and intelligence agencies launched an immediate on-ground verification process.
They thoroughly searched the bodies, weapons, satellite phones, and documents recovered. Among the seized items were thoroughly checked. There was enough evidence that confirmed foreign origin.
Two of the three terrorists were carrying Pakistani voter ID numbers, which were retrieved and verified by intelligence sources, according to the Home Minister.
STRATEGIC BRIEFING DELAYED UNTIL 100% CONFIRMATION
After the success of Operation Mahadev, a briefing was planned by the Chinar Corps GOC for 5 pm in Srinagar. But it was delayed. Why? Because the security forces chose caution over haste – they waited for final confirmation from CFSL Chandigarh.
Only after the ballistics test report at 4 am the next day did the Indian government officially confirm that the neutralised terrorists were the perpetrators of the Pahalgam massacre.
The Home Minister further revealed that 8 out of the 10 terrorists eliminated in Operation Sindoor were also involved in attacks during the UPA era. With multi-layered intelligence, forensic science, human intelligence, and digital tracking, Indian security forces didn’t just strike back — they proved that they eliminated the exact individuals responsible for the heinous Pahalgam attack.
– Ends
Published By: Avijit Das Published On: Jul 29, 2025