Shopian Encounter: Three Terrorists Killed in Operation Keller
On May 13, 2025,
A significant counter-terrorism operation, dubbed “Operation Keller,” unfolded in the Shukroo Keller forest area of Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the elimination of three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. The operation, launched by a joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), was initiated based on precise intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the region.
The encounter began in Kulgam district before shifting to Shopian’s forested terrain, where the terrorists were cornered. As security forces closed in, the militants opened fire, triggering an intense gunfight. The operation culminated in the neutralization of three terrorists, including Shahid Ahmad Kuttay, a notorious LeT commander and chief of The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit of LeT. Kuttay was implicated in several high-profile attacks, including the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 civilian lives. Another identified terrorist was Ehsan ul Haq Sheikh from Keegam, Shopian, who had joined LeT in September 2023. The identity of the third terrorist is still being ascertained, and security forces suspect a fourth terrorist may still be at large in the area.
The operation comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s strong stance against terrorism, delivered a day earlier, where he promised decisive counter-strikes against terrorists and their sponsors. The Shopian-Kulgam-Pulwama belt, where these terrorists were active, has been a hotspot for militant activities, making this operation a critical blow to LeT and TRF’s operations in South Kashmir.
Security forces recovered weapons and incriminating materials from the site, and the operation underscores the ongoing efforts to curb terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, especially following the recent escalation in violence after the Pahalgam attack. The Indian Army highlighted the operation’s success, stating that it was launched based on specific intelligence from a Rashtriya Rifles unit, reflecting the precision and coordination of the forces involved.
This Shopian Encouner marks a significant step in India’s resolve to dismantle terrorist networks in the region, amidst heightened tensions with Pakistan, which has been accused of sponsoring cross-border terrorism. As the valley remains on high alert, security forces continue to maintain a robust presence to ensure peace and stability.
