Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed in Parliament that a forensic test conducted in Chandigarh CFSL Lab confirmed the identity of the terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. Read how Operation Mahadev brought justice to the victims.
In a significant breakthrough in the investigation of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament on Tuesday that forensic tests conducted in Chandigarh CFSL Lab were instrumental in confirming the identity of the attackers. The tests matched the weapons used by three slain terrorists to bullet casings recovered from the attack site, conclusively linking them to the Pahalgam massacre that left 26 civilians dead.
A Midnight Flight and a Morning Confirmation
Addressing the Lok Sabha during a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, Shah said the weapons seized from the terrorists were flown overnight to the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) in Chandigarh. There, forensic experts conducted ballistic tests on the rifles and compared the fired shell casings with those collected from the Baisaran Valley attack site in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir.
“We flew the seized rifles on a special aircraft to Chandigarh. The scientists fired the weapons, collected the shell casings, and matched them with those found at the attack scene. The match confirmed these rifles were used to murder our innocent civilians,” Shah stated firmly.
Operation Mahadev: Terrorists Eliminated
The terrorists—Sulaiman, Afghani, and Jibran—were neutralized on July 28 in Dachigam, Srinagar during Operation Mahadev, a coordinated mission executed by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police. According to Shah, Sulaiman was a top commander of the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba.
“These three were directly involved in the Baisaran valley attack. All were A-listed terrorists, and their elimination is a major success for our forces,” Shah declared.
He further added that evidence of Sulaiman’s involvement had already been gathered by intelligence agencies before the encounter. Following their death, bodies were identified with the help of NIA-arrested suspects who had previously given shelter to the trio.
Ensuring No Escape to Pakistan
In a powerful disclosure, Shah mentioned that he had reached Srinagar shortly after the Pahalgam attack and chaired a high-level security meeting.
“We made sure that the terrorists couldn’t escape to Pakistan. Our forces surrounded the region and closed all exit points. This was a swift and decisive operation,” he said.
Advanced Forensics Aiding Justice
The Home Minister detailed the scientific precision involved in the investigation. The three weapons recovered—one M9 and two AK-47 rifles—underwent test firing at CFSL Chandigarh, generating new shell casings which were then examined against those found at the crime scene.
This methodical approach not only confirmed their role in the attack but also added substantial forensic credibility to India’s counter-terror operations. The speed of the process—completed in less than 24 hours—reflects the government’s commitment to justice and the use of cutting-edge forensic science.
A Message of Assurance and Strength
Concluding his statement, Shah congratulated the security personnel involved in Operation Mahadev and reassured the nation:
“I want to tell Parliament and the nation—those who murdered our citizens have been brought to justice. Their lives ended on Indian soil, not across the border.”