Security forces on Monday gunned down at least three terrorists during a major anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar.
The operation, codenamed Operation Mahadev, is being carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the CRPF.
The encounter, which is still underway, broke out in the dense Lidwas forest area, officials confirmed on Monday.
The choice of codename — Mahadev — is significant not just tactically but symbolically as well.
Mahadev Peak, located near New Theed in Srinagar, is part of the Zabarwan Range and holds both strategic and spiritual value.
Towering over the city, the peak is revered locally and is also a popular trekking route. It is the most prominent summit of the range and overlooks Lidwas and Mulnar. Thus, the codename "Mahadev".
According to a post by Chinar Corps on X, contact with the terrorists was first established in the general area of Lidwas on July 28.
Acting on intelligence inputs, security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the Mulnar area of Harwan, close to the peak.
Mahadev is another name for Lord Shiva.
Security forces had launched a massive operation to track down the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead, and intelligence inputs over the past month had suggested that the terrorists might have moved towards the Dachigam area, which is around 20 km from Srinagar's city centre.
However, it was not immediately clear if the three slain terrorists were involved in the April 22 attack.
The security forces, acting on an intelligence input, launched an anti-terror operation in the Mulnar area of Harwan on Monday morning. Two rounds of gunshots were heard from a distance as security forces were carrying out searches of the area.
(With inputs from agencies)
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
