93 Days of Revenge Hunt End as Pahalgam Terror Attackers Gunned Down in Kashmir Forests

A year after 26 civilians were gunned down in Baisaran, security forces conclude a long-range operation that traced the attackers across 250 km of rugged terrain to Dachhigam.

New Delhi— A year after the chilling terror strike in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam claimed 26 civilian lives, security forces have revealed how an intense and prolonged counterterror operation led to the elimination of the attackers deep inside forest terrain. The assault, carried out on April 22, 2025, in the scenic Baisaran meadows, saw heavily armed terrorists posing as tourists open indiscriminate fire on visitors, turning a popular destination into a site of horror. Investigators later found that the attackers had infiltrated the area through surrounding forests and exploited its limited access points, leaving those present with little chance to escape. Eyewitness accounts suggested the gunmen carried out targeted killings after checking identities, making the attack particularly brutal.

In the immediate aftermath, the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a swift joint response, focusing on evacuating the injured and securing the area while initiating a large-scale manhunt. Within 24 hours, intelligence inputs combining human sources and technical surveillance helped identify three suspects believed to be linked to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba. Their movements were tracked across South Kashmir as security forces intensified search operations across difficult terrain.

What followed was a relentless 93-day pursuit spanning over 250 kilometres through dense forests and mountainous regions, including Lidder Valley and adjoining areas. Despite multiple close encounters, the suspects managed to evade capture for weeks by taking advantage of the rugged landscape. Security forces deployed drones, thermal imaging systems, and advanced tracking methods, maintaining constant pressure as intelligence agencies worked in close coordination to narrow down their location.

By mid-July, actionable inputs led forces to a restricted zone inside the forests of Dachhigam, where a coordinated operation was launched to seal off escape routes. On July 28, special forces units engaged the militants in a fierce encounter, resulting in the killing of all three suspects. Weapons recovered from the site, including assault rifles, were later forensically matched to those used in the Pahalgam killings. Digital evidence retrieved from the scene further indicated cross-border links, with handlers allegedly directing the attackers from Pakistan.

Officials described the mission, internally referred to as Operation Mahadev, as a testament to sustained coordination between multiple security agencies and a demonstration of precision in counterterror efforts. They added that the operation not only brought those responsible to justice but also highlighted the evolving challenges faced by forces operating in Kashmir’s complex and unforgiving terrain.