On May 13, 2025, the Indian Army, in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Police (J&K Police) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), successfully eliminated three terrorists during an intense encounter in Shopian's Keller Forest area. The operation, named Operation Keller, also resulted in the recovery of a large weapons cache, including AK-series rifles, grenades, ammunition, and other war-like stores.
The operation was triggered after specific intelligence provided by the Rashtriya Rifles Unit, which identified the presence of terrorists in the Shoekal Keller region, about 80 kilometres from Srinagar. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and engaged in a fierce firefight with the terrorists.
Who were neutralised terrorists?
Among those killed was Shahid Kuttay, a Category A terrorist and a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) faction, The Resistance Front (TRF). Kuttay, who had joined the terror group in 2023, had been responsible for several terror-related activities in the region. He was linked to the deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. In retaliation, his residence was demolished by authorities on April 26.
The other two terrorists identified were Adnan Shafi Dar, another local militant from Shopian, and a third militant whose identity is still being verified. These militants were actively involved in recent terror activities across Kashmir.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) reported, “Based on inputs from intelligence agencies about the 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 the neutralisation of three hardcore terrorists, including the local commander of LeT/TRF, after an intense encounter.”
The Army further added, “The three were actively involved in recent terror activities in the region. Recoveries from the operation include AK-series rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, grenades, and other war-like stores.”
Significant weapons cache recovered
The intense firefight ended with the death of the terrorists and the discovery of several weapons, including rifles, grenades, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Alongside these weapons, security forces found backpacks and personal items belonging to the slain terrorists. This significant recovery underscores the scale of the terrorist operation in the region and highlights the ongoing threat posed by militant groups operating under Pakistan’s influence.
Operation Keller comes on the heels of India’s successful Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), destroying several key militant launchpads and eliminating nearly 100 terror operatives. Notable targets of Operation Sindoor included the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s training base in Muridke.
This coordinated strike against Pakistan-based terrorist groups is part of India's broader counterterrorism strategy, which seeks to dismantle terror networks that continue to threaten stability in the Kashmir region. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was responsible for the Pahalgam attack, and it remains a key target of Indian security forces. India has formally accused Pakistan of shielding such groups and is expected to present new evidence at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to push for further sanctions.
Ongoing counterinsurgency operations
Despite the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, reached on May 10, 2025, following a call from Pakistan’s DGMO to Indian Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir remain in full force. Security forces continue to actively monitor and respond to militant activity, as highlighted by the swift success of Operation Keller.
The elimination of Kuttay and his associates is a significant blow to the militant infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, yet authorities remain vigilant. Investigations into the potential connections between these militants and the Pahalgam massacre are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Indian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism, with further operations likely in the region.
(With inputs from PTI)
The operation was triggered after specific intelligence provided by the Rashtriya Rifles Unit, which identified the presence of terrorists in the Shoekal Keller region, about 80 kilometres from Srinagar. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area and engaged in a fierce firefight with the terrorists.
Who were neutralised terrorists?
Among those killed was Shahid Kuttay, a Category A terrorist and a top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) faction, The Resistance Front (TRF). Kuttay, who had joined the terror group in 2023, had been responsible for several terror-related activities in the region. He was linked to the deadly attack in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists. In retaliation, his residence was demolished by authorities on April 26.
The other two terrorists identified were Adnan Shafi Dar, another local militant from Shopian, and a third militant whose identity is still being verified. These militants were actively involved in recent terror activities across Kashmir.
In a post on social media platform X, the Indian Army's Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) reported, “Based on inputs from intelligence agencies about the 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 the neutralisation of three hardcore terrorists, including the local commander of LeT/TRF, after an intense encounter.”
Update : OPERATION KELLER
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 14, 2025
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… https://t.co/diHsasfXvA pic.twitter.com/Zais9SLlMb
The Army further added, “The three were actively involved in recent terror activities in the region. Recoveries from the operation include AK-series rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, grenades, and other war-like stores.”
Significant weapons cache recovered
The intense firefight ended with the death of the terrorists and the discovery of several weapons, including rifles, grenades, and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. Alongside these weapons, security forces found backpacks and personal items belonging to the slain terrorists. This significant recovery underscores the scale of the terrorist operation in the region and highlights the ongoing threat posed by militant groups operating under Pakistan’s influence.
Operation Keller comes on the heels of India’s successful Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7, 2025. The operation targeted terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), destroying several key militant launchpads and eliminating nearly 100 terror operatives. Notable targets of Operation Sindoor included the headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s training base in Muridke.
This coordinated strike against Pakistan-based terrorist groups is part of India's broader counterterrorism strategy, which seeks to dismantle terror networks that continue to threaten stability in the Kashmir region. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba, was responsible for the Pahalgam attack, and it remains a key target of Indian security forces. India has formally accused Pakistan of shielding such groups and is expected to present new evidence at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to push for further sanctions.
Ongoing counterinsurgency operations
Despite the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan, reached on May 10, 2025, following a call from Pakistan’s DGMO to Indian Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir remain in full force. Security forces continue to actively monitor and respond to militant activity, as highlighted by the swift success of Operation Keller.
The elimination of Kuttay and his associates is a significant blow to the militant infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, yet authorities remain vigilant. Investigations into the potential connections between these militants and the Pahalgam massacre are ongoing. Meanwhile, the Indian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism, with further operations likely in the region.
(With inputs from PTI)
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