In a major success for Indian security forces, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told the Lok Sabha that all three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack were killed in a special operation in Srinagar. The joint action, called Operation Mahadev, was carried out by the Indian Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police. One of the three terrorists was identified as Hashim Musha, also known as Suleman Shah, who played a key role in planning the Pahalgam attack.
Shah said that Indian forces relied on advanced ballistic matching techniques to confirm the identity of the attackers. He explained how forensic experts matched bullets and cartridges found at the Pahalgam site with weapons recovered from the terrorists' hideout. This helped them prove that the same guns were used in both events.
The operation was launched on Monday near Dachigam, close to Srinagar. All three terrorists, believed to be from Pakistan, were killed in the gunfight. The Home Minister said that this was not just a military win but also a forensic breakthrough that helped seal the investigation.
Shah explained the entire process of how the terrorists were identified. After the April attack in Pahalgam, police collected bullet casings and other evidence from the site. This material was then sent for forensic testing. When the terrorists were killed during Operation Mahadev, forces recovered guns like M-9 pistols and AK-47 rifles from their base. These weapons were taken by special aircraft to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh.
There, experts test-fired the guns to collect fresh bullet casings. These new casings were then compared to the ones found in Pahalgam using ballistic matching technology. The results were clear – the same guns had been used in both places. This meant that the terrorists killed in Srinagar were directly involved in the earlier attack.
Ballistic matching is a well-known method in criminal investigations. It helps scientists match a bullet to the exact gun that fired it. Every gun leaves unique marks on the bullet it fires. By comparing these marks, experts can say with confidence whether two bullets came from the same gun.
According to Shah, this scientific evidence was crucial in proving that the attackers were not local but foreign terrorists sent from across the border. This makes the case stronger for India's claim that Pakistan was involved in the Pahalgam incident.
While presenting these facts in Parliament, Shah also took aim at the Opposition parties. He criticised them for allegedly trying to give Pakistan a "clean chit" in the aftermath of the April attack. Shah said, "Had the Congress not supported the Partition of India, we would not be facing terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir today."
His comments were both a defence of the government's actions and an attack on the Opposition’s position. He tried to show that India's security forces are not only acting with strength but also with precision and evidence. Shah’s words were also meant for the international community – a reminder that India uses scientific methods, not just emotions, to respond to terror.
He further said that Pakistan has continued to support cross-border terrorism. By using ballistic science and forensic reports, India was able to expose the reality and kill those responsible.
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This case is an example of how technology and science are playing a bigger role in national security. Gone are the days when just recovering a weapon or killing a terrorist was considered a success. Today, evidence matters – not only to convict those involved but also to prove a point in international diplomacy.
India’s use of ballistic matching shows how forensic science can strengthen the fight against terrorism. It also makes sure that no innocent person is blamed, and only those truly responsible are held accountable.
The case of the Pahalgam attack and the success of Operation Mahadev is more than just a military win. It is a strong message that India is now combining intelligence, science and action to stop terrorism at its roots.
The message is clear: India won’t just hit back hard — it will also prove its case with facts.
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