In a breakthrough, the Army's elite para commandos gunned down three terrorists in an encounter on the outskirts of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
One of the terrorists was reportedly Sulieman alias Asif, the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack. The other two have been identified as Yasir and Abu Hamza. All three of them were foreign nationals affiliated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
According to reports, a Chinese communication device that turned on two days ago helped Indian security officials track down three terrorists inside the Dachigam forest of Jammu and Kashmir.
India had banned these apps, which are encrypted, in the aftermath of the Galwan Valley clash in 2020.
How Chinese devices were used?
The operation was reportedly initiated based on intelligence inputs gathered over 14 days ago, beginning with the detection of a Chinese satellite phone in the Baisaran area on July 11.
The forces got a clue about a Chinese ultra radio communication being active.
According to Times Now, Ultra Set, a highly encrypted Chinese telecom gear was used by the terrorists. These specialised handsets are exclusively customised by Chinese companies for the Pakistan army.
The Ultra Set handsets combine cell-phone capabilities with specialised radio equipment that does not rely on traditional mobile technologies like Global System for Mobile (GSM) or Code-Division Multiple Access (CDMA).
The device operates on radio waves for message transmission and reception. Each "Ultra Set" is linked to a control station located across the border. It is said that two "Ultra Sets" cannot reach out to each other.
During the April 22 Pahalagam attack that claimed 26 lives, Chinese communication tools, including banned Huawei satellite phones and encrypted messaging apps, were believed to have helped foreign terrorists maintain contact with their handlers across the border and evade detection.
Operation Mahadev
The operation, codenamed “Operation Mahadev” was launched following intelligence about a satellite phone signal linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The codename is also symbolic. Mahadev Peak, located near New Theed in Srinagar, is part of the Zabarwan Range and holds both strategic and spiritual value. It is the most prominent summit of the range and overlooks Lidwas and Mulnar. The terrorists were reportedly hiding in the dense forests in the foothills of Mahadev peak. According to reports, the Army received suspicious communication in early July.
A joint team of the 24 Rashtriya Rifles and 4 Para unit detected terrorist movement in the region, following which an encounter began at 11 am under an operation codenamed ‘Mahadev’. The security forces engaged the three men in an intense gunfight, eventually killing the armed terrorists.
A team from the 4 Paras found the terrorists in a tent in the Dachigam forests. According to reports, the operation was swift, lasting only a couple of minutes. The terrorists, who were constantly on the run, were caught by surprise.
During the encounter, the security forces also recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the site where the terrorists were found. These reportedly included two AK rifles, M4 carbine, and other war-like stores.
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