NATIONAL: Shah Confirms Pakistan Link in Pahalgam Terror Strike
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the Lok Sabha on July 29, 2025, during the Monsoon Session’s debate on Operation Sindoor, confirmed the elimination of three terrorists linked to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives. Shah revealed compelling evidence of their Pakistani origins, countering opposition doubts and underscoring the success of Operation Mahadev.
Operation Mahadev’s Success
Shah announced that security forces, including the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, neutralized three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists—Suleman, Afghan, and Jibran—in Operation Mahadev on July 28, 2025, near Srinagar. Suleman, identified as the mastermind, was an A-category commander, with forensic evidence linking their weapons to the Pahalgam attack. The operation was lauded as a decisive response to the Baisaran Valley atrocity.
Evidence of Pakistani Involvement
The Home Minister presented irrefutable evidence of the terrorists’ Pakistani origins, including voter IDs recovered from two of them and chocolates manufactured in Pakistan. Shah emphasized that ballistic analysis conducted at Chandigarh’s Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the rifles—an M9 and two AK-47s—matched those used in the Pahalgam attack, refuting claims of domestic origins.
Swift Response and Investigation
Following the April 22 attack, Shah personally visited Pahalgam, meeting victims’ families and overseeing a high-level security meeting by April 23. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was promptly engaged, detaining locals Bashir and Parvez on June 22 for sheltering the terrorists, with their testimonies aiding in identifying the perpetrators.
Rebuttal to Opposition Criticism
Shah sharply criticized Congress MP P. Chidambaram for questioning the terrorists’ origins, accusing him of undermining India’s stance by suggesting they could be “homegrown.” He argued that such remarks from a former Home Minister appeared to deflect responsibility from Pakistan, urging the opposition to unite in condemning terrorism.
Operation Sindoor’s Strategic Impact
Shah distinguished Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025, which destroyed nine Pakistani terror sites without civilian casualties, from Operation Mahadev, which targeted the on-ground perpetrators. He highlighted India’s assertive self-defense strategy, contrasting it with past governments’ inaction, and noted over 100 terrorists were neutralized during Sindoor.
Call for National Unity
Expressing disappointment at the opposition’s muted response to the terrorists’ elimination, Shah called for bipartisan support in celebrating the security forces’ success. He stressed that politicizing the issue weakens national resolve, urging MPs to prioritize justice for the victims over partisan debates.