Two of the terrorists believed to be behind the deadly April 22 attack in Pahalgam — identified as Sulaiman and Yasir — were among the three militants killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces in the forests of Harwan near Dachigam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Monday.

According to official sources, the third slain terrorist has been identified as Ali. The operation, launched on the basis of concrete intelligence, remains ongoing amid suspicions of a fourth militant possibly hiding in the area.

Security forces recovered a US-made carbine, an AK-47, 17 rifle grenades, and other arms and ammunition from the encounter site, reinforcing suspicions of a well-planned infiltration.

Firefight Erupts During Search Operation

The anti-terror operation began early Monday in the Mulnar area of Harwan, around 20 km from central Srinagar, following credible intelligence inputs suggesting the movement of terrorists linked to the Pahalgam carnage.

During the combing operation, gunfire erupted from the forested region, triggering a fierce exchange. Additional reinforcements were rushed in, eventually resulting in the elimination of the three terrorists.

The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps confirmed the development on social media platform X, noting that “three terrorists have been neutralised in an intense firefight” and that the operation continues.

The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, and led to nationwide condemnation. Intelligence agencies had since been tracking those responsible, with suspicions that they had shifted base towards Dachigam.