Security officials in Jammu and Kashmir.
Credit: PTI Photo
Srinagar: Three terrorists affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) outfit were killed in a fierce gunfight with security forces on Tuesday in the dense Shukroo forest area of Keller in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
The encounter broke out after a joint team of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a cordon and search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about militant presence in the area.
“As the search party moved through the forest terrain, they came under heavy fire from the hiding terrorists, triggering a retaliatory exchange,” a police official said. “Three terrorists believed to be associated with LeT were neutralized in the ensuing gunfight.”
The Indian Army, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), said: “On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, Shopian, Indian Army 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. Operation is in progress."
Two of the slain militants were identified as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi Dar, both residents of Shopian. The identity of the third militant is yet to be confirmed.
According to police records, Kuttay had joined the LeT on March 8, 2023, and was listed as a Category-A militant. He was allegedly involved in multiple attacks, including the April 8, 2024 shooting of two German tourists and the killing of a BJP Sarpanch in Heerpora, Shopian on May 18, 2024.
Dar, classified as a Category-C militant, had joined LeT on October 18, 2024.
This latest operation comes in the backdrop of heightened counter-terror operations in South Kashmir forest areas and Kishtwar following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians—mostly tourists—and injured several others.
In response to the attack, security forces have ramped up their presence in forested belts, stepped up surveillance, and intensified intelligence-based operations.
The Shopian encounter took place shortly after the appearance of ‘Terror-Free Kashmir’ posters across the district, featuring photos and names of three Pakistan-backed terrorists—Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa—who are suspected to have orchestrated the Pahalgam massacre. Authorities have announced a Rs 20 lakh reward for credible information leading to their capture.
Just days after the Pahalgam attack, on April 25, security forces demolished the Bijbehara residence of Adil Hussain Thoker using improvised explosive devices, in a clear message of zero tolerance against terrorism and its enablers.