At least three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian on Tuesday after an encounter broke out with the security forces. One Lashkar terrorist, Shahid — a local resident — has been identified so far, according to sources.
The Army launched Operation Keller — named after the encounter site — after it received “specific intelligence” from the Rashtriya Rifles unit.
“During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in elimination of three hardcore terrorists,” the Army wrote on X, adding that the operation is still ongoing.
In a separate development, security agencies put up ‘Terror Free Kashmir’ posters of three Pakistan-backed terrorists — Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai and Hashim Musa — who are believed to be responsible for the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
The posters were put up in several locations across the Shopian district. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for anyone with any credible information.
Barely days after the Pahalgam attack, Jammu and Kashmir authorities blew up the residence of Thoker in Bijbehara on April 25 using IEDs. Thoker is believed to have played a key role in helping Pakistani terrorists carry out the attack on the picturesque Baisaran Valley.
Thoker crossed the Attari-Wagah border into Pakistan in 2018 before infiltrating back into the Valley last year.
In his first public address since India launched Operation Sindoor following the Pahalgam terror attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday warned that India has only “paused” its military action against Pakistan, asserting that India will respond strongly in the event of any other terror attack from across the border.
“We will be monitoring every step of Pakistan,” PM Modi said, adding, “The way the Pakistani Army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day.”
In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks, India launched Operation Sindoor, targeting multiple Lashkar, Hizbul, and Jaish terror camps inside Pakistan. This was followed by a four-day armed confrontation between the two nuclear-powered states, before an understanding to “pause” all military action was reached on Saturday evening.
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