| ‘Operation Mahadev’ uncovers deep terror links | | Recovered devices reveal Pakistani IDs, details of local facilitators | |  Atul Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 3: In a major breakthrough following the elimination of three terrorists involved in the horrific April 22 Pahalgam massacre, security forces have recovered critical electronic and logistical evidence during Operation Mahadev, shedding light on cross-border infiltration and local support networks.
According to reports, three mobile phones and two LoRa (long-range) communication sets were seized from the slain terrorists during the operation in Lidwas, near Dachigam National Park.
The devices reportedly contain images of two Pakistani National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) cards, suggesting direct links to Pakistan-based operatives. The recovered phones are currently being analyzed by the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), while the LoRa sets are being examined for manufacturing stamps or origin markers that could trace their supply chain back to Pakistan.
LoRa technology, known for enabling secure long-distance communication without reliance on cellular networks, has increasingly been used by infiltrators to evade detection.
On July 29, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in the Lok Sabha that the three terrorists neutralized in Operation Mahadev were responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 civilian lives, mostly tourists, in Baisaran Valley. Shah identified the terrorists as Suleman alias Faizal, Afghan, and Jibran, all A-category Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives, and stated that forensic evidence and eyewitness identification confirmed their involvement.
Security officials believe the Aadhaar cards may have been obtained by terrorists through Over Ground workers (OGWs) or belonged to them, a tactic commonly used by infiltrators to blend in and bypass checkpoints.
The data retrieved from the phones reportedly includes documents, images, and contact details of local facilitators, which could lead to further arrests and expose the logistical ecosystem that supported these terrorists over the past two years.
Intelligence agencies are particularly focused on the LoRa sets, which may help map the terrorists’ movements, identify communication patterns, and pinpoint device origin—whether assembled locally or imported.
The revelations from Operation Mahadev not only reinforce the Pakistani link to the Pahalgam massacre but also underscore the sophistication and preparedness of infiltrators operating in the Valley. Security forces continue combing operations in the region, with further updates expected as forensic and technical analysis progresses. |
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