Operation Nader: Three JeM terrorists killed in fierce gunfight in J&K’s Pulwama

Security forces neutralised three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in a fierce encounter during Operation Nader, launched in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on 15 May. The gunfight erupted in the Tral area after troops detected suspicious movement during a cordon and search operation.

The operation was launched in Nader village of Awantipora sub-division, based on specific intelligence inputs. As security personnel from the Indian Army, J&K Police and CRPF moved in, terrorists hiding in the area opened heavy fire. A fierce exchange ensued, leading to the killing of three terrorists.

The deceased were identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani and Yawar Ahmad Bhat—reportedly local residents and operatives of the Pakistan-backed terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad.

This was the second major anti-terror encounter in Jammu and Kashmir within 48 hours. On 13 May, three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were killed in Shopian’s Keller area during another intense gunbattle dubbed ‘Operation Keller’. Officials said those slain were involved in previous attacks, including the killing of a BJP sarpanch and a shooting that injured foreign tourists.

The back-to-back operations come amid heightened security alerts in the Valley following the 22 April massacre in Pahalgam, where 26 civilians were killed in a suspected Pakistan-sponsored terror strike. India has since issued a clear warning that cross-border terrorism will be treated as an act of war.

As per security agencies, Operation Nader is part of an intensified crackdown to flush out remaining militant elements and prevent further civilian casualties in the region.