Day after PM Modi’s warning on terror, 3 terrorists killed in encounter in J&K’s Shopian

In a statement, the Indian Army said, “Based on specific intelligence of a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, about the presence of terrorists in the general area of Shoekal Keller, Shopian, the Indian Army launched a search and destroy operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire, and a fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in the elimination of three hardcore terrorists.”

According to sources, the three terrorists are affiliated with the Lashkar-e-Toiba and its offshoot, The Resistance Front (TRF), and “have been active in the Shopian-Kulgam-Pulwama belt”.

One of the deceased terrorists has been identified as Shahid Kuttay from Heerpora in Shopian. The 26-year-old joined TRF in March 2023, per police records.

OPERATION KELLER

On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a #RashtriyasRifles 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… pic.twitter.com/KZwIkEGiLF

— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 13, 2025

The second terrorist has been identified as 21-year-old Adnan Shafi Dar, a resident of Shopian. He is believed to have joined the LeT in October 2024.

The third, Ehsan ul Haq Sheikh from Keegam, Shopian, is believed to have joined the LeT in September 2023.

The encounter comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised counter-strikes as a response to terror without differentiating between terrorists and the regime that sponsors them. The speech came in the aftermath of India’s strikes on terrorist sites in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Pakistan after 26 civilians were killed in Pahalgam last month.

It also comes two weeks after a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorist’s brother, who officials said was a terrorist associate, was killed in an encounter in the Bandipora district of Kashmir.