Operation Keller: Three terrorists killed in gunfight in J&K’s Shopian

As many as three terrorists were reportedly killed on May 13 during a fierce gunfight between security forces and militants in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir. This operation, dubbed “Operation Keller”, was initiated based on specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the region.

Security sources confirmed that the exchange of fire broke out early Tuesday, with personnel from the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police jointly conducting the operation. The identities of the slain terrorists has not been officially released yet.

This comes shortly after security agencies launched a public campaign against three Pakistan-backed terrorists—Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa—believed to be involved in the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack. ‘Terror Free Kashmir’ posters with their names were displayed across Shopian, and a reward of ₹20 lakh has been announced for credible information.

Authorities had earlier demolished Adil Hussain Thoker’s house in Bijbehara using explosives on April 25, after linking him to the Baisaran Valley attack. Thoker reportedly crossed into Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border in 2018 and infiltrated back into the Valley last year.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his first address since the launch of Operation Sindoor, warned on May 12 that India had only “paused” its military action against Pakistan, adding that any future cross-border attacks would invite a strong response.

Operation Sindoor was launched in retaliation to the Pahalgam attack and has reportedly targeted terror camps of Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan. A four-day military escalation followed before both sides agreed to a temporary halt in military operations on May 10.

Security forces are continuing their operations in south Kashmir, amid heightened alerts following recent attacks and infiltration threats.