Three Terrorists Killed in Kashmir by Indian Forces; Connection to Pahalgam Massacre Probed

Three terrorists were killed in a high-intensity encounter with Indian security forces on Monday in the Lidwas area of Srinagar. The joint operation, launched in the upper reaches of the Dachigam forest range, is being seen as a major breakthrough amid concerns that the slain individuals may have played a role in the deadly Pahalgam attack earlier this year.

The April 22 attack in Pahalgam, located in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, left 26 civilians dead and shocked the nation. Authorities are now examining whether at least two of the terrorists neutralized in Monday’s encounter were directly involved.

According to the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, the terrorists opened fire when personnel began combing operations in the dense Lidwas forest. “Three terrorists were neutralised during the operation,” the Army said, confirming that their bodies were recovered at the scene.

Recovered items include an American-made carbine, an AK-47 assault rifle, 17 rifle grenades, and other combat gear. Officials also discovered a concealed hideout used by the terrorists for food preparation, stocked with eatables and cooking utensils, indicating they had been stationed there for a significant period.

The Dachigam forest range has two strategic flanks: one stretches toward Pahalgam, and the other connects to Ganderbal district. Its rugged and remote terrain has made it a challenging but frequent zone for counter-terror operations.

“This is a prolonged and ongoing operation,” said Vidhi Kumar Birdi, Inspector General of Police (Kashmir Zone). “Three bodies have been sighted, but we are still working on their identification. It would be premature to disclose further details.”

Security teams from the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force remain on the ground, continuing the search and verification process.

While the Army has described the deceased as “hardcore terrorists,” it emphasized that the full picture will emerge only after proper identification and further investigation. If confirmed, the connection to the Pahalgam massacre would mark a critical development in dismantling terror networks operating in the region.