Killed terrorists involved in series of terror-related incidents: Army
Srinagar, May 14: A day after a fierce gunfight in the Keller forest area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district, Army on Wednesday said that slain terrorists were involved in series of terror incidents in south Kashmir.
“Based on inputs by intelligence agencies about presence of terrorists in the Keller Forest of #Shopian District, Jammu & Kashmir, a joint operation was launched by #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice and CRPF on 13 May 2025, resulting in neutralisation of three hardcore terrorists including the local commander of LeT/ TRF after an intense encounter. The three were actively involved in recent terror activities in the region. Recoveries from the operation include AK series rifles, large quantity of ammunition, grenades and other war like stores.
The success of this operation is the result of an excellent synergy between all Security Forces and Intelligence Agencies. #IndianArmy remains unwavering in its mission to eliminate terror. Every attempt to disrupt peace will be met with decisive and unrelenting force.
#IndianArmy@DefenceMinIndia@SpokespersonMoD@HQ_IDS_India@NorthernComd_IA@ChinarcorpsIA@crpfindia,” ADG PI-Indian Army said in a post on X.
Army said among the slain was Shahid Kuttay, the operational commander of LeT in South Kashmir, marking a significant blow to the outfit’s operational structure in the region. The encounter, which began early Tuesday morning, was the culmination of a well-coordinated joint operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), based on specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the upper reaches of Keller.
The slain terrorists — identified as Shahid Kuttay, Adnan Shafi Dar, and Ehsan ul Haq Sheikh — were all residents of Shopian and had been on the radar of security forces for their involvement in a series of recent terror-related incidents in the region. Security officials believe the death of Kuttay, who had been operating as the key planner for LeT/TRF in South Kashmir, will severely disrupt the group's logistical and operational capabilities. Intelligence agencies suspect he was also coordinating with cross-border handlers and had recruited several new cadres over the past year.
"This successful operation is a testament to the synergy between intelligence agencies and ground forces. Our mission remains clear — we will not allow terrorism to gain ground again. Any attempt to disturb peace will be met with unrelenting force," the Army asserted.
Police sources indicated that the slain terrorists were also involved in providing logistical support to newly infiltrated foreign terrorists, underscoring a broader strategy by LeT/TRF to re-establish influence in the region through hybrid terrorists and sleeper cells.
In recent weeks, the counter-terrorism grid has been re-energised in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in South Kashmir, which has seen a spurt in anti-terror operations following renewed inputs about regrouping of militants post-snowmelt in upper forest belts. Tuesday’s successful operation signals a proactive approach in ensuring such areas are denied as safe havens.
With this operation, the number of terrorists neutralised in the Shopian district this year has risen to 11, reflecting sustained pressure on militant networks. Officials said follow-up search operations are underway in the surrounding forested areas to ensure no other militants are hiding in the vicinity.
