Defence Ministry Dismisses ‘Fake’ Report on Pahalgam Terror Attackers’ Identities
The Ministry of Defence on Monday denied the authenticity of a widely circulated report claiming to reveal the identities and backgrounds of the terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack. The ministry clarified that no such report has been prepared or released by the Indian Armed Forces.
The clarification came after several social media platforms shared a document titled “Identities and Background of the Pahalgam Attackers,” attributing it to the armed forces. Refuting these claims, the ministry stated:
“The report in circulation seems to be a compilation of information from open sources post the encounter. No authorised media handle or spokesperson from the Armed Forces has issued or commented on any such report.”
Operation Mahadev: Encounter on Srinagar Outskirts
Earlier last week, three terrorists linked to the deadly Pahalgam attack were gunned down by security forces in an operation named ‘Operation Mahadev’, which took place in the forested outskirts of Srinagar.
According to officials, the slain militants were senior commanders of the banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). They had been hiding in the Dachigam-Harwan forest belt since the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which had claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists visiting the Baisaran meadow.
The three terrorists have been identified as:
- Suleman Shah alias “Faizal Jatt” – Categorised as A++, the mastermind and lead shooter in the attack
- Abu Hamza alias “Afghan” – A-grade LeT commander, and the second gunman
- Yasir alias “Jibran” – Another A-grade commander, and the third shooter
Confirmed Pakistani Nationals: Evidence Presented
Security agencies have reportedly gathered conclusive evidence indicating that all three terrorists were Pakistani nationals and hardcore members of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing Parliament, shared key findings from the investigation. Evidence includes:
- Biometric data from Pakistan’s NADRA (National Database and Registration Authority)
- Pakistani voter ID slips
- Digital satellite phone records, including GPS data and communication logs
Officials further confirmed that the terrorists had infiltrated India via the Gurez sector of North Kashmir in May 2022, which was validated through intercepted radio communications from the Pakistani side.
Final Word
The Defence Ministry urged the public and media outlets to verify facts from authorised sources and avoid spreading unverified claims. The ministry emphasised that no official document regarding the identities or origins of the Pahalgam attackers has been issued by the Indian Armed Forces.
