In a move shrouded in secrecy, India has launched a covert military operation dubbed “Operation Mahadev” to mask its recent failures during the conflict with Pakistan. Security sources reveal that the operation is designed to discredit the growing freedom movement in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and to restore the political credibility of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, which has been criticized following setbacks in the region.
Security sources confirmed on Monday that the new operation is aimed at covering up India’s earlier failures, particularly the outcomes of Operation Sindoor, which faced significant setbacks. The sources indicate that Operation Mahadev involves staging fake encounters and framing Pakistani detainees in Indian custody as cross-border terrorists.
As part of the operation, Indian forces are reportedly reviving tactics similar to those used in previous false flag operations. The plan involves using detainees from Pakistan, already illegally held in Indian prisons, as part of staged encounters, where they will be killed and then presented as terrorists attempting to cross the border.
The tactic is intended to weaken the growing independence movement in IIOJK, which has gained momentum in recent months. Indian authorities are also using these fabricated encounters to rebuild the credibility of Prime Minister Modi’s administration, which has faced mounting international criticism over its handling of the situation in Kashmir.
On April 24, Indian forces allegedly carried out such an operation, resulting in the deaths of two Kashmiris who were claimed to have crossed the border. The sources further revealed that Indian media outlets have been provided with images and videos of the bodies and planted weapons to support the fabricated narrative of cross-border terrorism.
This comes after a period of heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed nations. In May, Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos struck a blow to India’s reputation when it successfully downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafale aircraft, and destroyed dozens of drones. The conflict, which lasted for 87 hours, concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States.
The disclosure of the illegal detention of 723 Pakistanis, including 56 forcibly held by Indian intelligence agencies, has raised further concerns. These detainees, it is feared, may be coerced into making false statements or could be presented as killed terrorists in future disinformation campaigns. This has only added to the mounting concerns about the ongoing tension between the two nations.
