Sources in Pakistan report that India has launched a covert military operation called “Operation Mahadev” to divert attention from recent conflicts with Pakistan by staging fake encounters and portraying detained Pakistanis as terrorists.
The operation reportedly follows the failure of “Operation Sindoor,” aiming to suppress the freedom movement in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Below, we examine the allegations, their context, and potential implications, based on statements from Pakistani security sources and reports from Dawn.com.
Sources allege that India plans to revive tactics involving fake encounters by using illegally detained Pakistanis and portraying them as cross-border terrorists. Reports indicate that “Indian authorities intend to kill detainees and label them as infiltrators.” The media has reportedly received prepared images and videos to support these narratives and aims to restore the political credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government amid unrest in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
During ongoing #searchoperations under #OperationMahadev, security forces have uncovered crucial evidence from a #terrorist #hideout. Photographs from the site reveal that the terrorists were camping deep in the forest, fully #equipped with supplies and gear — indicating they… pic.twitter.com/xLZ1nUVkqn
— News9 (@News9Tweets) July 28, 2025The claims stem from an alleged 87-hour conflict that took place in May 2025, during which Pakistan reportedly shot down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale jets, along with dozens of drones. A ceasefire, mediated by the United States, ended the clash on May 10. Earlier, Pakistan’s Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, revealed that 723 Pakistanis are currently detained in Indian jails, including 56 who are held by intelligence agencies. He warned of the potential misuse of these detentions in disinformation campaigns.
Details of Operation Mahadev Allegations
Sources link Operation Mahadev to efforts aimed at suppressing the movement in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and addressing the shortcomings of Operation Sindoor. They reference incidents on April 24, 2025, where two Kashmiris were reportedly martyred after crossing the border. While there is no independent verification of these claims, the allegations align with the ongoing border disputes that have persisted since 1947, which have been intensified by the 2019 Pulwama attack.
OP MAHADEV
Contact established in General Area Lidwas. Operation in progress.#Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/xSjEegVxra
— Chinar Corps🍁 – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) July 28, 2025If the operation is confirmed, it could heighten tensions between nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan’s appeal to the United Nations for intervention underscores worries about human rights in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Social media on X is filled with outrage, with posts stating, “India’s fake encounters exposed!” Both the U.S. and China are closely monitoring the situation due to their significant interests in regional stability.
Indians were waiting for over 3 months to know what happened to real perpetrators of Pahalgam attack.
No updates. No answers. Just silence.
But the moment Opposition prepared to raise tough questions in Parliament,
suddenly #OperationMahadev began😂😂 pic.twitter.com/v77tGAwfhm
— Amock (@Politicx2029) July 28, 2025International relations expert Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa noted: “Such operations, if verified, risk further destabilising the region.” Human Rights Watch has called for independent investigations into the claims in IIOJK. Pakistan’s allegations of India’s Operation Mahadev highlight escalating border tensions. Verification is crucial for assessing the validity of claims and preventing further conflict.
