Three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in the Zinpather Keller area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian District on Tuesday after an encounter broke out with the security forces earlier in the day, officials said.
On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, Shopian, Indianarmy launched a search and destroy operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists.They said the search operation turned into an encounter after the terrorists fired upon the forces who retaliated.
In the exchange of fire, three terrorists were killed, the sources said.
Of the three, the two slain terrorists were identified as Shahid Ahmed Kuttay and Adnan Shafi, both residents of Shopian. Kuttay, who joined Lashkar in 2023, was involved in a shooting incident at the Danish resort on April 8 last year, in which two German tourists and one driver were injured. He was also involved in the killing of a BJP Sarpanch at Heerpora in Shopian in May last year, according to sources.
Shafi, who joined the terror group in 2024, was involved in the killing of a non-local labourer at Wachi in Shopian, sources added.
The unidentity terrorist is a Pakistani National.
The Army launched Operation Keller — named after the encounter site — after it received “specific intelligence” from the Rashtriya Rifles unit.
“During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists,” the Army wrote on X, adding that the operation is still ongoing.
Three AK-47 rifles with other arms and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists killed in Shopian.
In a separate development, security agencies put up ‘Terror Free Kashmir’ posters of three Pakistan-backed terrorists — Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa — who are believed to be responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The posters were put up in several locations across the Shopian district. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for anyone with any credible information.
Based on a specific input about the presence of terrorists in Shukroo Keller area of the south Kashmir district, security forces launched a cordon and search operation there.
