Priyadarshini Acharya, the wife of Prashant Kumar Satpathy, a resident of Ishani village in Odisha’s Balasore district who was killed in the April Pahalgam terror attack, has welcomed the successful execution of “Operation Mahadev,” in which all three terrorists involved in the incident were neutralized.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that Operation Mahadev, jointly conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu & Kashmir Police, resulted in the elimination of the terrorists responsible for the brutal attack on unarmed tourists in Pahalgam. He called it a major milestone in India’s ongoing fight against terrorism.
Reacting to the news, Priyadarshini expressed a deep sense of relief and pride. “Though my husband will never return, I believe his soul has finally found peace. My husband laid down his life for the nation, and now justice has been served. The Indian Army and our government have fulfilled their promise,” she said.
She extended her gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian security forces for delivering justice to her family and many others affected by such violence. The family, she said, had been grappling with immense trauma since the attack. “For the past three months, we lived with the pain and uncertainty. I used to wonder if the culprits would ever be caught. Now that they have been eliminated, it sends a strong message that Bharat neither forgets nor forgives,” she added.
Priyadarshini emphasized the importance of national security and appreciated the coordination between the government and armed forces. “This is not just justice for my family but also for many others who have suffered because of terrorism,” she said.
She also called for continued anti-terror operations, stating that campaigns like Operation Sindoor should not end. “The process of eliminating terrorists must continue. They should live in fear, not the innocent citizens of this country. India’s tourist and cultural destinations must remain safe,” she urged.
When asked whether she had recognized any of the terrorists, Priyadarshini revealed that some suspicious individuals had been spotted in the area before the attack but were mistaken for security personnel. “We had no idea who they really were. The mastermind had blended in with the locals, but now he too has met his fate,” she said.
She concluded with a strong appeal to the government to maintain its decisive stance against terrorism, adding, “I believe this government has shown it will act firmly whenever needed.”
