Srinagar, July 29 :
A team from the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrived in Kashmir Valley to assist in the identification of the three militants killed in the recently concluded Operation Mahadev, sources in the security establishment confirmed on Tuesday. The slain militants were believed to be involved in the brutal massacre of 26 civilians in Baisaran, Pahalgam, on April 22.
According to sources, the NIA team is coordinating with local police and intelligence units to confirm the identities of the deceased militants, suspected to be foreign nationals affiliated with the Pakistan-based group The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Additionally, two local men who were earlier arrested for sheltering the militants in Baisaran before the Pahalgam killings may be brought to assist in identification efforts.
The massive counter-militancy operation, code-named Operation Mahadev, was launched in the rugged Mahadev Peaks of the Zabarwan range following a precise intelligence tip-off on July 27. The militants were traced to the Lidwas area, a difficult terrain of dense forest and steep slopes. A fierce encounter broke out on July 28, culminating in the killing of all three militants after a protracted gunfight.
Security officials identified the slain militants as Suleiman alias Hashim Musa, Yasir alias Jibran, and Abu Hamza Afghani, all foreign nationals with confirmed ties to TRF. The trio had been on the run for over three months, evading multiple crackdowns by security agencies across South and Central Kashmir.
The operation has been described by security officials as a significant breakthrough in counter-militancy efforts. “The elimination of these three hardcore foreign militants has avenged the deaths of the 26 innocent civilians killed in cold blood at Baisaran. It is a moment of closure for the families and a major success for the forces,” said a senior security official.
The Mahadev Peaks, known for their treacherous terrain and altitude, had posed a major challenge throughout the 95-day-long search operation. However, the persistent efforts of security personnel, supported by aerial surveillance and intelligence inputs, ultimately led to the successful conclusion of the operation.
Further forensic analysis and DNA verification of the slain militants are underway. The NIA’s involvement is expected to strengthen the investigation into the broader network that facilitated the militants’ stay and movements within the Valley. (Agencies)