Operation Mahadev: Pahalgam victims’ kin hail Army - ‘We can sleep better now’

Families of the victims who were killed or injured in the terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22 have expressed relief and gratitude after the Indian Army eliminated three terrorists, including Suleiman Shah, the alleged mastermind behind the attack, in ‘Operation Mahadev’ near Srinagar on Monday, The Times of India reported.

The operation neutralised two other terrorists: Abu Hamza and Yasir. Yasir, too, is believed to be among the Pahalgam killers. Security forces from the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police were part of Monday’s joint operation.

The attack in the Baisaran meadow had claimed the lives of 26 tourists, including six from Maharashtra, and left several others injured. Following the massacre, the Indian government launched Operation Sindoor, a strong military campaign to dismantle terrorist camps and eliminate those responsible for the killings.

Among the survivors was Subodh Patil, a 52-year-old resident of Kamothe, Navi Mumbai, who narrowly escaped death when a bullet grazed his neck. "I saw Monday's news on television. It is indeed satisfactory and worth appreciating that the govt did not rest after Operation Sindoor, and ensured that the mastermind is eliminated,” TOI quoted Patil as saying.

In Dombivli, near Mumbai, three cousins, Atul Mone, Sanjay Lele, and Hemant Joshi, were among those who lost their lives. On Monday, Sanjay’s son Harshal Lele said it felt like a tribute to his father, whose birthday had just passed on Sunday. "It was my father's birthday on Sunday, July 27, and by coincidence, on Monday, July 28, the Army eliminated the mastermind. This is a true tribute to my father. I used to buy a cake on his birthday every year, but this year, Baba was not there."

Harshal praised the Indian Army for not letting the matter die down. “Usually, after a tragedy, people make noise for a few days and then move on. But the Army didn’t forget. They kept going. I truly hope they get every single person involved in the attack.”

He also voiced his support for a stronger diplomatic stand against Pakistan. “Earlier, I thought sports and politics should be kept separate. But now I feel unless we completely boycott cricket and hockey matches with Pakistan, there will never be real change,” Harshal was quoted by TOI as saying.

Aishanya Dwivedi, wife of Shubham Dwivedi, another victim of the Pahalgam attack, told NDTV that the Army’s action brought her some comfort. “The pain will never go, the closure may never come. But at least now, we can sleep a little better knowing that those who killed my husband are no more,” she said.

Aishanya, who was on holiday with her husband and other family members when the attack happened, added, “The people giving these terrorists orders, who sit far away and plan such attacks, I know the Army will reach them too. I have full faith.”