In a major counter-terrorism operation, security forces have successfully neutralized three terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) during an encounter in the Shukroo forest area of Keller, located in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday.
The operation, carried out by a joint team of Jammu and Kashmir police and the Indian Army, was initiated following credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the region. A top police official confirmed that a massive cordon and search operation was launched in the Keller forests, which led to the confrontation.
As security personnel began their combing operations, the hiding terrorists opened fire, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire. The ensuing firefight resulted in the elimination of three hardcore LeT terrorists. The identities of the killed terrorists are currently being ascertained, although initial reports suggest that at least one of them may be of Pakistani origin.
In a statement regarding the operation, officials from the Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) noted that the operation, dubbed “Operation Keller,” was launched on May 13, 2025. The intelligence-driven initiative aimed to locate and eliminate terrorist threats in the area. During the engagement, the terrorists reportedly fired heavily, leading to a prolonged and intense firefight.
In addition to neutralizing the terrorists, security forces recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from the encounter site. A search operation is ongoing to ensure the area is secure and to prevent any further terrorist activities.
This is the first encounter in the valley to break out following the operation Sindoor and the ceasefire violation by Pakistan. Notably, red streaks were seen and explosions heard as India’s air defence intercepted Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Samba on Monday. Army sources confirmed that a small number of drones had come into the Samba sector and were being engaged.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had addressed the nation following ‘Operation Sindoor’ which was launched by India on May 7. “When Indian missiles and drones attacked those sites in Pakistan, it was not just the buildings of the terrorist organisations but their courage also shook. Terrorist sites like Bahawalpur and Muridke were the universities of global terrorism. All big terrorist attacks in the world, including 9/11 or big terrorist attacks in India, are somehow or the other connected to these terrorist sites,” he said.
