Operation Mahadev: Recovered devices likely to reveal Pahalgam terrorists’ Pakistan trail

The operation, Mahadev, took place in the general area of Lidwas, the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said

At least three mobile phones and two LoRa (long-range) communication sets recovered from Pahalgam attackers killed during Operation Mahadev have revealed substantial data, including images of two Pakistani National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) cards, The Indian Express reported citing sources in the security establishment.

The report mentioned that the phones are currently being analysed by the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) for recovery of data. The LoRa communication sets are also being examined for any stamps of Pakistan.

These terrorists were neutralised in an intense firefight with security forces in the Harwan area near Dachigam National Park of Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army said on Monday. The operation, Mahadev, took place in the general area of Lidwas, the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said.

On Tuesday, during the Lok Sabha session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah also confirmed that three terrorists who were involved in the killing of civilians were eliminated by the security forces during Operation Mahadev.

"In a joint Operation Mahadev, the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police have neutralised three terrorists who were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack," Shah said while addressing the lower house.

According to The Indian Express report, among other things recovered by security forces after Operation Mahadev are a GoPro harness, a 28-watt solar charger, three mobile chargers, one Swiss Military power bank, needle and threads, medicines, a stove, dry ration and a lot of tea – in addition to arms and ammunition.

Moreover, two Aadhar cards were also recovered which had the name of two local residents of Ganderbal and Srinagar.

According to sources cited by The Indian Express, it is common for Pakistani terrorists infiltrating India to obtain Aadhaar cards as it enables them to move around easily. These cards are usually obtained through over ground workers or may belong to them.

Through mobile phones and LoRa sets, security agencies are hoping to pin Pakistan down. According to sources, the recovered phones include documents, images, and details of local contacts, which are expected to aid in identifying further suspects and tracing the logistical backing the terrorists may have had in the Valley in the past couple of years, the report added further.

Security officials can benefit from LoRa sets as they may provide crucial data to trace the terrorists' movement in recent months and possibly reveal the origin -- whether manufacturing or assembly -- of the devices.

As many as 26 people, mostly tourists, were shot dead by terrorists at Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, which prompted the armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7 against the terror infrastructure in Pakistan.