Nation

IIE DIGITAL DESK : During a charged Monsoon Session of Parliament on July 29, 2025, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha that all three terrorists responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam massacre had been neutralized in a coordinated counter‑terrorism mission named Operation Mahadev. Shah revealed the attack planners were Pakistani nationals and detailed the intelligence-led investigation that led to their identification and elimination 

He identified the individuals by name—Suleman (also called Sulieman), Afghan, and Jibran—and explained that detained accomplices provided accurate identification after the bodies were recovered in Srinagar. The mission was executed jointly by the Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, marking a significant victory in India’s fight against cross-border terrorism 

Amit Shah emphasised the brutality of the Pahalgam attack: tourists were harassed and shot based on their religion. He offered condolences to the families of the 26 victims and underscored the psychological impact of the assault. Shah also mentioned retaliatory firing from Pakistan that damaged civilian areas and religious sites such as temples and gurdwaras following Operation Sindoor 

In Lok Sabha, Opposition MPs had challenged the government over security failures and delays in action. Congress Deputy Leader Gaurav Gogoi asked why it took 17 days to initiate a retaliatory mission, while Shiv Sena MP Arvind G. Sawant questioned why no security forces had been present in Pahalgam at the time of the attack—underscoring the need for accountability and investigation 

Government leaders defended the operation vigorously. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh detailed how India used precise military strategy—targeting nine terror infrastructure sites while avoiding civilian harm. He elaborated on India’s air defence system success, crediting S‑400 and counter-drone systems for repelling Pakistani attacks without any Indian casualties or damage to key assets 

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking in support of the effort, said India received global validation for its response. He cited condemnation of the Pahalgam attack from Quad, BRICS, UN and emphasised that no discussion whatsoever about trade took place during diplomatic talks with the US—countering Opposition claims of political expediency in foreign policy negotiations 

In emotional moments, relatives of victims voiced both relief and despair. Families welcomed the successful operation but made clear it was only a start. Sabari Guha praised the forces and hoped continued action against all perpetrators would bring full closure, while another grieving widow said no update could lessen her sorrow 

The timing of the arrests significantly impacted parliamentary strategy. The successful operation appeared to undercut one of the Opposition’s strongest lines of attack—government inaction. According to analysts, the breakthrough shifted political momentum ahead of critical debate hours ahead in the session 

This pivotal update comes amid a broader, planned 16‑hour parliamentary debate on Operation Sindoor and related national security concerns. The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are both dedicating significant time to Ministers—including Rajnath Singh, Jaishankar, Amit Shah—with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to speak later in the evening as proceedings extend into prime time.

Amit Shah’s revelation of Operation Mahadev—which successfully eliminated the three Pakistani nationals behind the Pahalgam terror attack—has emerged as a defining moment in the Monsoon Session. It highlighted India’s intelligence capabilities and strategic readiness, while undercutting political criticism and focusing attention on accountability and national resilience in the face of terror.