The Indian Army, based on intelligence inputs of a Rashtriya Rifles unit, launched a counter-terrorism operation in the general area of Shoekal Keller in Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir, on Tuesday.
The operation, known as Operation Keller, was initiated based on specific intelligence received about the presence of terrorists in the region.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the region. They said the search operation turned into a gunbattle after the terrorists fired upon the forces who retaliated.
In the exchange of fire, armed forces eliminated three hardcore terrorists. The identities of the terrorists are yet to be confirmed.
Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Shahid Kuttay was among three terrorists killed in an encounter with security forces in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said.
Military officials confirmed that the operation is still ongoing, as security forces continue to search the area for any other possible threats. Reinforcements have been deployed to ensure the safety of civilians in the vicinity and to maintain a strict watch over the area.
A senior police official said the terrorists belonged to LeT. He identified the two as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi. The identity of the third one was being ascertained.
Kuttay, a resident of Chotipora Heerpora area of Shopian, who had joined the terror ranks in March 2023, was a category "A" terrorist and a top commander of the outfit, the official said.
He said Kuttay was involved in several terror incidents and anti-national activities, including in the killing of BJP sarpanch at Heerpora on May 18, 2024.
The successful operation comes as part of ongoing efforts by the Indian Army and security forces to combat terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the volatile regions of Shopian and Pulwama.
On April 26 last month, days after the Pahalgam attack, authorities razed the residential house belonging to Kuttay Kuttay, active for the last three to four years, is involved in many anti-national activities, the officials said.
Shafi, a resident of Wanduna Melhora area of Shopian had joined in October 2024 and was a category "C" terrorist. He was involved in the killing of non-local labourer at Wachi, Shopian on October 18, 2024, the official said.
‘Future terror will be act of war’
On May 10, top government sources said any future act of terror in India will be considered an "act of war" against the country and will be responded to accordingly.
With this decision, the government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to draw red lines against terror incidents and makes clear its intention to respond to the perpetrators and conspirators, in what is seen as a message to Pakistan -- a country linked to various terrorist groups involved in targeting Indians.
The decision came amid the conflict with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, which had left 26 civilians, mostly tourists, dead.
With inputs from agencies