What did Operation Mahadev expose?
3 terrorists & a candy wrapper
It’s Monday again.
The world’s a bit chaotic, your inbox is probably overflowing, and your caffeine hasn’t quite kicked in yet. But here’s a story that deserves five minutes of your full attention.
Because this isn’t just about national security.
It’s about precision, proof, and a little piece of candy that told a big story.
📌 Operation Mahadev: What really happened?
Three armed terrorists launched an attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir.
Before the dust could settle, Indian security forces launched Operation Mahadev, a high-intensity counter-terror operation that not only neutralized the attackers but also unraveled a cross-border web of planning and infiltration.
All three terrorists were killed.
But what followed was the real plot twist.
The initial suspicion was that they were trained foreign militants.
But the confirmed truth was that they were Pakistani nationals.
And the proof wasn’t flimsy, it was forensic-grade.
Security agencies recovered:
Biometric data from Pakistan’s NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority). This included fingerprints, facial templates, and even family tree data, traced through a micro-SD card found inside a damaged sat-phone.
Voter ID slips issued by the Election Commission of Pakistan.
GPS data and communication logs from digital satellite phones.
Personal items, including candy wrappers from well-known Pakistani snack brands like CandyLand and ChocoMax, both manufactured in Karachi.
Yes, even a candy wrapper became a clue.
📌 Who were these terrorists?
The three men were not only trained but high-ranking within terrorist networks:
Suleman Shah aka “Faizal Jatt”
A-category terrorist
The mastermind and lead shooter
Abu Hamza aka “Afghan”
A-grade commander
Second shooter
Yasir aka “Jibran”
A-grade commander
Third shooter
All three were linked to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with permanent addresses in the Kasur district’s Changa Manga and Koiyan village near Rawalakot.
So no, this wasn’t an isolated incident.
It was part of a well-established terror pipeline across the border.
📌 The time taken for the breakthrough?
According to Home Minister Amit Shah, Indian intelligence agencies moved at lightning speed.
1,055 individuals were questioned in under three hours.
From that effort, two Kashmiri locals (Bashir and Parvez) were identified as people who had sheltered the terrorists before the attack.
Their sketches were prepared. Leads were verified.
And Operation Mahadev went from investigation to elimination.
📌 Why should you know this story?
It’s not just a report on counter-terrorism.
It’s a case study on:
Data-led security: How fingerprints and GPS logs can shape geopolitics.
Rapid intel gathering: How 1,000 people were interviewed in hours.
Narrative control: How proof silences doubt in international diplomacy.
It’s also a warning.
The enemy isn’t always loud. Sometimes, they come with silence, sugar, and satellite phones.
So, that’s it for today. If you enjoyed this edition, subscribe to hear from us every day!
See ya 👋
