During a special discussion in the Lok Sabha on ‘Operation Mahadev’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah clarified that the three terrorists killed near Srinagar were the same individuals responsible for the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
He explained in detail how the terrorists were identified based on scientific and intelligence evidence.

Operation Mahadev was the Indian security forces' counteroffensive following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir. In that brutal assault, 26 civilians—mostly tourists—were killed. During Operation Mahadev, the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police eliminated three terrorists, whom the Home Minister directly linked to the Pahalgam attack in Parliament.

How the terrorists were identified – Key points from Amit Shah’s statement:

The Minister told the Lok Sabha that the slain terrorists were identified as Suleiman alias Faisal, Afghan, and Jibran. They were top "A-category" commanders of the terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba and were linked to the Pahalgam attack as well as previous attacks in the region.

Their Pakistani nationality was confirmed through various items recovered from them—such as "Made-in-Pakistan" chocolates, Pakistani voter ID cards, and other documents. Shah added that two of the terrorists were found carrying valid Pakistani voter numbers, leaving no doubt about their origin.

Gun-Ballistic Matching:

The weapons recovered from the terrorists—two AK-47 variants and an American M4 carbine—were tested in a Chandigarh forensic lab. Ballistic tests conducted on the empty cartridges confirmed on Friday that the bullets matched 100% with those used in the Pahalgam attack.
Six scientists reportedly confirmed this match via video call to the Home Minister.

Third Source of Identification:

The third source of confirmation came from individuals who had previously provided food and shelter to the terrorists. These individuals were taken into custody, and when shown the bodies after they were brought from the encounter site near Srinagar, they confirmed the identities of the terrorists.

The Home Minister further revealed that the NIA interrogated over 1,000 people and recorded more than 3,000 hours of questioning to uncover the full truth of the attack.

He also responded sharply to Congress leader P. Chidambaram’s earlier remark about “homegrown terrorists”, asking whether, in the face of clear proof of Pakistani involvement, Chidambaram was trying to defend Pakistan.

In summary:

Amit Shah made it clear in Parliament that the three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack were Pakistani nationals. Their identities were confirmed through ballistic evidence, intelligence inputs, and direct identification by witnesses.
Operation Mahadev was presented as a decisive and just response, demonstrating India’s intelligence and forensic capabilities.

He concluded by stating unequivocally that there is no room for doubt—these three were the perpetrators of the Pahalgam attack, Pakistan was responsible for the violence, and India has delivered justice through action.