𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐬 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐄𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫

Srinagar, May 13: Security forces gunned down three terrorists in a fierce encounter in the Shukroo forest area of Keller in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday. The Indian Army launched the operation following precise intelligence inputs, according to an official statement.

Among the slain militants was Shahid Kuttay, the operational commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). A resident of Chotipora Heerpora in Shopian, Shahid had joined LeT on March 8, 2023, and was considered one of the most wanted terrorists in the region. He was allegedly involved in the April 8 attack on the Danish Resort, which injured two German tourists and a driver, as well as in the targeted killings of a BJP sarpanch and a Territorial Army jawan in Beighbagh, Kulgam.

The second terrorist was identified as Adnan Shafi Dar of Wanduna Melhora. The identity of the third militant is still being verified.

The Army, referring to the encounter as “Operation Keller,” stated that based on intel from a Rashtriya Rifles unit, a search and destroy mission was launched in the Shoekal Keller area. The terrorists opened heavy fire, triggering a fierce exchange that led to the elimination of all three.

Security forces believe two to three terrorists may still be hiding in the dense forest area, and combing operations are ongoing.

This operation comes amid heightened counter-terrorism activities across South Kashmir and upper Kishtwar, in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, including foreign nationals.

Separately, posters offering a ₹20 lakh reward have appeared across Pulwama district for information leading to the arrest or neutralization of those behind the Pahalgam massacre. Police have released sketches and names of three suspected LeT militants responsible for the attack, all of whom remain at large.