In a significant breakthrough in counter-terror operations, three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed on Tuesday during a fierce encounter with security forces in the Shukroo forest area of Keller, located in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
According to police officials, the encounter followed a massive cordon-and-search operation that was launched early Tuesday morning after receiving credible intelligence inputs about terrorist presence in the region. As the joint team of police and Army personnel combed the dense forest area, they came under fire from terrorists, triggering a fierce gun battle.
During the exchange of fire, three LeT militants were neutralised. Their identities are yet to be officially confirmed, and security forces are continuing the search operation in the area to ensure no other operatives are hiding nearby.
The encounter comes in the wake of intensified counter-terror efforts following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 tourists and triggered nationwide outrage. In response, the Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier released the names and sketches of three LeT operatives suspected to be involved in the Pahalgam attack. A reward of ₹20 lakh was announced for each of them.
The three wanted terrorists have been identified as:
- Hussain Thoker, a local resident of Anantnag
- Ali Bhai, also known as Talha Bhai, believed to be a Pakistani national
- Hasim Musa, also known as Suleiman, also suspected to be from Pakistan
Posters displaying the bounty have been put up in various parts of Pulwama district, urging the public to come forward with any information.
In a broader crackdown on terror networks, the Srinagar Police had earlier conducted widespread raids at the residences of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) and terror associates linked to proscribed groups under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The latest encounter follows the recently concluded Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces carried out precision strikes across terror hubs in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, eliminating nearly 100 terrorists. High-value targets included Jaish-e-Mohammed’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s training base in Muridke.
Security forces remain on high alert, and intelligence-based operations are expected to continue in the coming days as part of India’s intensified anti-terror strategy.