Niyati
The counter-terrorism landscape in India witnessed a watershed moment following the brutal April 22, 2025, attack in Pahalgam — a peaceful tourist haven in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The killing of 26 unarmed civilians, including tourists and local vendors, sent shockwaves across the country. More than just another tragic event in a conflict-prone region, it acted as a catalyst for one of the most sophisticated and multi-layered counter-terror responses in recent Indian history — Operation Mahadev and Operation Sindoor.
This article provides an in-depth, non-partisan account of the events leading up to and following the Pahalgam tragedy. It delves into the operations, examines the political and social reactions, and explores what lies ahead for peace-building in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pahalgam Tragedy: A Brutal Assault on Civilians
On the morning of April 22, 2025, armed assailants opened fire in the picturesque Baisaran valley, a popular trekking and picnic spot above Pahalgam. The attackers, reportedly dressed in civilian attire, indiscriminately targeted tourists, ponywallahs, and local vendors. Among the 26 killed were children and elderly tourists, while several others sustained grievous injuries.
This was not a conventional terror strike aimed at infrastructure or security forces. It was a cold, calculated act aimed at sowing fear and dismantling the image of Kashmir as a safe tourist destination.
Security forces responded swiftly. The Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and Army sealed off the area and launched immediate search operations. Preliminary investigations quickly hinted at a well-orchestrated cross-border plot, with militants possibly infiltrating through South Kashmir’s porous terrain days before the attack.
Operation Mahadev: A Calculated Counter-Strike
By late May, intelligence agencies — both central and local — had gathered substantial leads on the perpetrators’ movement. A covert multi-agency operation, codenamed Mahadev, was greenlit for execution in the upper reaches of Dachigam National Park.
On July 28, 2025, security forces launched a precision strike. The confrontation, which lasted several hours, ended with the elimination of three top militants: Suleman alias Faizal, Afghani, and Jibran — all linked to the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Forensic reports matched the firearms recovered — including an American M-9 carbine and two AK-47s — to bullet casings found at the Pahalgam site. Among other seized items were Pakistani voter IDs, encrypted devices, and Pakistani-manufactured chocolates — details that deepened suspicions of state-sponsored support.
Operation Sindoor: Broader Strategy, Global Messaging
In parallel with Mahadev, the government launched Operation Sindoor — a strategic mission focusing on border surveillance, disruption of local terror logistics, and diplomatic outreach.
Addressing the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the neutralized terrorists had been positively identified with help from local facilitators arrested in Anantnag and Pulwama. These individuals had reportedly sheltered the terrorists before the Pahalgam attack and played a key role in tracing their movements.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while discussing the security situation in Parliament, recounted a conversation with the U.S. Vice President who had raised concerns over potential regional escalation. Modi responded firmly: “We do not seek conflict, but we will not hesitate to act when Indian lives are lost.”
Strategic and Political Ramifications
1. Stronger Inter-Agency Synergy
Operations Mahadev and Sindoor showcased an evolved counter-terror infrastructure. Real-time satellite surveillance, improved HUMINT (human intelligence), and joint task force coordination marked a significant leap from previous reactive models. The swift execution — from identifying suspects to their elimination — underscored the system’s growing maturity.
2. End of Hurriyat Engagement
In a rare blunt statement, the Home Minister categorically ruled out any future dialogue with the Hurriyat Conference, branding it a “front for secessionist ideology.” With its major leaders either arrested or facing charges under UAPA and NIA investigations, the separatist platform now stands politically defunct — a key development in the Centre’s Kashmir strategy.
3. New Political Rhetoric on Terror
While opposition parties criticized the government over the intelligence failure that allowed the attack, the Centre responded with the success of the subsequent operations. Yet, a significant consensus emerged across party lines — that terror should not be politicized, and national security must remain a shared responsibility.
Local Sentiment and International Response
The killing of high-profile terrorists was met with cautious approval internationally. Most Western democracies acknowledged India’s right to defend itself but also urged for transparency and adherence to international human rights standards. India responded by involving the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to ensure impartial probe and procedural accountability.
The Parallel Youth Narrative: Culture over Conflict
Interestingly, even as security forces engaged in high-stakes operations, cultural and youth engagement programs continued across the Valley. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, speaking at a literary event in Baramulla, emphasized that a secure environment is essential for creative expression.
In an impressive show of civic participation, over 20,000 students engaged in calligraphy workshops, poetry readings, and Ladishah storytelling events organized by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. These programs — often overshadowed by hard news — form the heart of a parallel peace-building process unfolding silently yet steadily.
Pakistan’s Role: Renewed Spotlight, Familiar Denials
The discovery of Pakistani goods and IDs from the Dachigam encounter reignited familiar debates on Islamabad’s role in destabilizing Kashmir. Indian officials reiterated claims about active terror launchpads across the LoC and the complicity of Pakistan’s ISI in nurturing non-state actors.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh didn’t mince words when he stated in the Rajya Sabha: “India is not just ready to respond. We are ready to prevent. If needed, action will be taken even beyond our borders.” Though diplomatic in tone, his message clearly hinted at a doctrine shift: from containment to deterrence.
Veterans and Families: An Ongoing Commitment
As operations intensify, the Jammu and Kashmir administration is also focusing on those on the front lines. Plans are underway to operationalize Sainik Sahayta Kendras (SSKs) — special grievance cells for soldiers, their families, and veterans. These centers aim to offer counselling, employment support, and pension-related assistance — a long-overdue initiative to support the silent sacrifices behind every operation.
The Road Ahead: Guns and Grassroots
The challenge ahead is not just tactical, but philosophical. India now finds itself balancing military preparedness with cultural healing. While operations like Mahadev offer immediate tactical wins, true and lasting peace in Kashmir will demand patient political reform, economic investment, and educational empowerment.
As of now, the Valley remains calm but cautious. The scent of fear still lingers in the pine forests of Pahalgam. Yet, in Srinagar’s calligraphy halls and Baramulla’s poetry gatherings, one can detect the faint fragrance of hope.
The Pahalgam attack will be remembered not only for its brutality but for what it set in motion — a robust, coordinated national response and a renewed focus on local empowerment. Security forces displayed strength. Political leadership showed resolve. And most importantly, Kashmiri youth showed that their dreams remain unbroken.
If India can sustain this dual approach — hard on terror, soft on society — it may finally script a new chapter in the region’s long and troubled history. One where headlines speak less of bloodshed and more of books, brushes, and bridges.