Srinagar (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Police team that played a pivotal role in the Pahalgam terror attack has been honoured with the prestigious Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak, recognizing their courage, dedication, and exemplary service in combating terrorism.
As per news agency JKNS, Nineteen officers, ranging from senior leadership to frontline personnel and technical staff, received the award from the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) for their role in Operation Mahadev, a major counter-terror operation launched following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The awardees include Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vidhi Kumar Birdi, DIG Central Kashmir Pande Rajiv Omprakash, SSP Srinagar G.V. Sundeep Chakraborty, SPs Tanweer Ahmed Dar and Zoheb Tanveer; DSPs Vikram Nag, Shakir Hassan, and Mubashir Naiz; Inspector Taseer Hamid; SIs Anchal Singh and Firoz Ahmad Dar; ASIs Basharat Rasool Shah and Mohammad Shafi; HCs Javed Ahmed and Sandeep Khujuria; SGCTs Varun Singh and Mehmood Khan; and constables Suhail Abbas and Basharat Qadir.
The officers were instrumental in Operation Mahadev, which successfully neutralized three Pakistani terrorists Suleiman alias Asif, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani identified as key operatives responsible for the Pahalgam attack. Suleiman was the main planner of the assault, while Jibran was linked to the 2024 Sonamarg Tunnel strike. Security forces also recovered one M4 carbine, two AK rifles, and a large cache of ammunition, marking a significant blow to cross-border terror networks in the Valley.
The Pahalgam attack, carried out by the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, in Baisaran Valley, Jammu and Kashmir. Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in Parliament on July 29 that the terrorists belonged to LeT.
Following the attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) questioned over 1,000 individuals, including tourists, mule and pony owners, photographers, employees, and shop workers, to aid investigations. Subsequently, the Indian armed forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in pre-dawn strikes, along with military infrastructure, further strengthening India’s counter-terror measures.
The Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak awards underscore the bravery, skill, and professionalism of J&K Police in combating terrorism and protecting citizens in the region. (JKNS)
