Operation Keller: 3 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed in Shopian encounter
According to ANI inputs top police official launched a massive cordon-and-search operation in the Shukroo forest area of Keller in South Kashmir's Shopian district on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, after receiving specific input about the presence of some terrorists in the region.
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10:54 AM IST
The sources told ANI that a massive seal-off-and-search operation was launched in the Shukroo forest area of Keller after receiving specific input about the presence of some terrorists in the region. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had earlier released sketches and identities of three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack, announcing a Rs 20 lakh award for each. The terrorists were Hussain Thoker, a local from Anantnag, and two suspected Pakistanis, Ali Bhai (aka Talha Bhai) and Hasim Musa (aka Suleiman).
What is Operation Keller in Kashmir?
On May 13, 2025, the Indian Army launched “Operation Keller” in the dense forests of Shopian's Keller area in South Kashmir. The mission was initiated following credible intelligence about heavily armed militants hiding in the Shukroo forest area. The high-intensity counter-terror operation aims to neutralise terrorist threats and ensure the safety and security of citizens in the region, ANI inputs.
What ties Operation Keller to Operation Sindoor?
Operation Keller follows just days after the launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, which was an airstrike carried out by India targeting terrorist launch pads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation for a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives on April 22, 2025.
India is taking strong actions against terrorism, using both air strikes and ground operations to fight terrorists. This shows India's firm stance against terrorism and commitment to keeping its citizens safe.
Why was Operation Keller launched by Indian Army?
Operation Keller was launched based on specific intelligence inputs from top police officials and army personnel. According to these inputs, there was the movement and presence of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives in the Keller area of Shopian district, ANI reported.
The mission was aimed at preventing planned terrorist attacks, neutralising major LeT figures, and disrupting militant networks in the Valley.
Which areas of Jammu & Kashmir are affected by Operation Keller?
Operation Keller has affected the Shopian district in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically the following areas:
- Shopian's Keller Area: This is where the operation was launched based on intelligence inputs about terrorist presence.
- Shukroo Keller Forests: A joint team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police engaged militants in a fierce gun battle in this area, eliminating three hardcore terrorists.
- Alshipora Area of Shopian: Security forces launched a search and destroy operation in this area, leading to a significant encounter.
Who were killed in Operation Keller in Kashmir?
Three terrorists affiliated with affiliation to the Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an encounter in Shopian, South Kashmir on Tuesday. The confirmation of the identification of two out of three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)-affiliated terrorists has been made, sources told ANI. According to the source, the terrorists were encountered around 8:00 am today following specific intelligence related to terrorists hiding in the Shukroo forest area of Keller.
3 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists killed in Shopian encounter
Three of the terrorists were killed in the Shukroo forest area of Keller in the Shopian district.
According to sources, one of the terrorists was identified as Shahid Kuttay, son of Mohd Yousuf Kuttay and a resident of Chotipora Heerpora in Shopian.
He was a Category A, LeT operative who was involved in the firing incident at the Danish Resort in Srinagar on April 8, 2024, in which two German tourists and one driver were injured. He joined the terror outfit on March 8, 2023.
Kuttay was involved in the killing of a BJP Sarpanch at Heerpora on May 18, 2024 and was suspect involved in the killing of Territorial Army Personnel at Behibagh in Kulgam on February 3, 2025.
The other identified terrorist was Adnan Shafi Dar, son of Mohd Shafi Dar, who was a resident of Wanduna Melhora in Shopian. He joined the terror outfit on October 18, 2024, and was a category C LeT operative. He was involved in the killing of non-local labourers at Wachi in Shopian on October 18, 2024.
However, the identity of the last terrorist is yet to be confirmed.
Inputs from ANI
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