Key Highlights:
- Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested Mohammad Katari, who provided logistical support to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack terrorists that killed 26 civilians
- Katari’s arrest follows forensic analysis of weapons recovered during Operation Mahadev in July, which eliminated three terrorists including mastermind Suleiman Shah
- The arrest marks the first major breakthrough since Operation Mahadev and underscores India’s continued commitment to tracking all those responsible for the deadly Pahalgam terror attack
Opening Overview: First Major Arrest After Pahalgam Terror Attack
Jammu and Kashmir Police achieved a significant breakthrough in the Pahalgam terror attack investigation with the arrest of Mohammad Katari, a 26-year-old man who provided crucial logistical support to the terrorists responsible for killing 26 civilians on April 22, 2025. The arrest demonstrates the sustained momentum in India’s counter-terrorism efforts following the deadliest civilian attack in the region since 2000.
Forensic analysis of weapons and equipment recovered during July’s Operation Mahadev directly led to Katari’s identification and subsequent arrest. The Pahalgam terror attack represents a watershed moment in India-Pakistan relations, triggering military retaliation through Operation Sindoor and fundamentally altering counter-terrorism policy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration.
Security sources confirm Katari will be produced in court and sent to judicial custody, marking the first significant arrest since Operation Mahadev successfully eliminated three terrorists, including alleged mastermind Suleiman Shah. The breakthrough reinforces the government’s unwavering focus on dismantling the entire support network behind the Pahalgam terror attack.
#BREAKING
— Nabila Jamal (@nabilajamal_) September 24, 2025
Pahalgam Attack Breakthrough!
J&K Police arrest Mohammad Kataria, who gave safe shelter & logistics to the terrorists behind the April 22 massacre of 26 civilians
Arrest based on forensic link of seized rifles in Op Mahadev to Pahalgam killings
Rifles tested in… pic.twitter.com/eH6xhtF2RU
Forensic Evidence Links Katari to Pahalgam Terror Attack Network
- Mohammad Katari’s arrest resulted from meticulous forensic analysis of weapons recovered from the terrorist hideout during Operation Mahadev
- Laboratory testing in Chandigarh confirmed the recovered AK-47 and M4 carbine rifles were directly used in the Pahalgam terror attack
The National Investigation Agency’s forensic laboratory in Chandigarh provided crucial evidence linking Mohammad Katari to the Pahalgam terror attack through ballistic matching of recovered weapons. Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed to Parliament that security forces generated empty bullet shells by firing the recovered rifles, which matched exactly with cartridges found at the Pahalgam terror attack site.
Authorities recovered multiple assault rifles from the terrorist hideout, including AK-47 and M4 carbines, along with significant ammunition and communication equipment. The forensic analysis revealed that 44 cartridges belonged to the M4 carbine while 25 cartridges matched the AK-47 rifles, providing irrefutable evidence of the weapons’ use in the civilian massacre.
Mohammad Katari, identified as an Over Ground Worker for The Resistance Front, allegedly provided navigation assistance to help terrorists traverse Kulgam district’s forested terrain. Intelligence sources indicate Katari’s connections with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba through its proxy organization, which claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack twice within hours of the incident.
The investigation encompassed statements from 1,055 individuals and detailed suspect sketches, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the counter-terrorism operation. Three additional individuals who provided shelter to the terrorists have already been arrested, indicating the broad support network that facilitated the Pahalgam terror attack.
Operation Mahadev: Tracking Down the Pahalgam Terror Attack Masterminds
- Operation Mahadev successfully eliminated three terrorists, including mastermind Suleiman Shah, after weeks of surveillance using encrypted communication intercepts
- Security forces tracked the terrorists using a Chinese-origin Huawei satellite phone that pinged Inmarsat-4 F1, leading to their precise location in Harwan forest
Operation Mahadev unfolded as a methodical 67-day hunt that began May 22 when security forces received intelligence about terrorists hiding in Dachigam forest near Srinagar. The operation demonstrated unprecedented coordination between Rashtriya Rifles, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Special Forces commandos in eliminating the Pahalgam terror attack perpetrators.
Intelligence agencies monitored encrypted communications on China-origin T82 devices for weeks before the decisive assault began July 28. The breakthrough came when terrorists activated their satellite communication system, allowing Indian forces to pinpoint their location within a 4-square-kilometer section of dense forest terrain.
The final operation executed with military precision, beginning at 8 AM with drone reconnaissance for visual confirmation of terrorist positions. By 9:30 AM, ground forces including Rashtriya Rifles and Para Special Forces commandos established positions, achieving secondary visual confirmation within 30 minutes of deployment.
Combat engagement commenced at 11 AM, resulting in the elimination of all three terrorists by 12:45 PM. Among the killed was Suleiman Shah, alias Hashim Musa, identified as the Pahalgam terror attack mastermind and former Pakistan Army Special Service Group commando who later joined UN-designated terrorist Hafiz Saeed’s Lashkar-e-Taiba.
India’s Strategic Response: Operation Sindoor and Regional Implications Following Pahalgam Terror Attack
- Operation Sindoor targeted nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in direct retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack
- India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty for the first time since 1960, affecting irrigation for over half of Pakistani farms
The Pahalgam terror attack triggered India’s most decisive military response to cross-border terrorism, culminating in Operation Sindoor’s execution during the early hours of May 7, 2025. The strategic strikes targeted nine terrorist training camps and infrastructure facilities across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir without engaging military or civilian installations.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri characterized the military response as “measured, non-escalatory, and proportionate,” emphasizing India’s commitment to targeting terrorism at its source while maintaining strategic restraint. The operation marked the first time India conducted precision strikes deep inside Pakistani territory specifically targeting terrorist infrastructure after the Pahalgam terror attack.
Pakistan’s immediate retaliation included coordinated drone and missile strikes targeting over a dozen Indian military installations across northern and western theaters. However, India’s integrated counter-drone systems and layered air defense successfully intercepted these attacks, with recovered debris conclusively traced to Pakistani origin.
The diplomatic fallout included India’s suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, marking the first such action since the agreement’s signing. This unprecedented step affects irrigation systems serving over half of Pakistani agricultural land, demonstrating India’s willingness to use economic leverage in responding to state-sponsored terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack.
Broader Counter-Terrorism Achievements and Regional Security
- Terrorism in Kashmir has decreased by 70% under the Modi administration, with zero Kashmiri youth joining terrorist organizations in recent months
- The National Investigation Agency has conducted multiple arrests related to Lashkar-e-Taiba operations, including prison radicalization networks
The Pahalgam terror attack investigation represents part of India’s broader counter-terrorism success, with Kashmir experiencing a 70% reduction in terrorist incidents under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership. Security agencies report that no Kashmiri youth have joined terrorist organizations in the past six months, indicating the effectiveness of comprehensive counter-radicalization measures.
Recent National Investigation Agency operations have dismantled extensive terrorist support networks, including the arrest of prison officials involved in Lashkar-e-Taiba radicalization activities. These operations recovered arms, ammunition, and digital devices from cells attempting to execute terror activities in major Indian cities.
The broader security architecture includes enhanced surveillance capabilities through NATGRID systems, strengthened terror financing investigations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and strict enforcement of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. These measures have resulted in 57 individuals being declared terrorists and the confiscation of 347 properties linked to terrorist financing.
Intelligence agencies continue intensive efforts to dismantle remaining terrorist networks, with particular focus on Over Ground Workers who provide logistical support to infiltrating militants. Mohammad Katari’s arrest demonstrates the systematic approach to identifying and neutralizing entire support ecosystems that facilitate cross-border terrorism linked to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Closing Assessment: Strengthening India’s Counter-Terrorism Framework
Mohammad Katari’s arrest represents a pivotal moment in India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack, demonstrating the sustained effectiveness of forensic investigation techniques and inter-agency coordination. The breakthrough validates the comprehensive counter-terrorism strategy that combines military operations, intelligence gathering, and judicial processes to dismantle terrorist networks systematically.
The success of Operation Mahadev in eliminating the Pahalgam terror attack perpetrators, followed by the identification and arrest of support network members, showcases India’s evolved approach to combating cross-border terrorism. This methodology extends beyond immediate military responses to encompass long-term dismantling of terrorist infrastructure and support systems.
The Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Indian response have fundamentally altered regional security dynamics, establishing new precedents for counter-terrorism operations and diplomatic consequences for state sponsors of terrorism. The arrest of Mohammad Katari reinforces India’s commitment to ensuring accountability for all individuals involved in facilitating terrorist activities, regardless of their operational role in the Pahalgam terror attack.
