In a decisive counter-terrorism operation, the Indian Army successfully eliminated three terrorists on Tuesday during Operation Keller in the Shoekal Keller area of South Kashmir’s Shopian district. The operation was initiated in the early hours by the Rashtriya Rifles following credible intelligence regarding the presence of armed militants in the area.
As security forces cordoned off the region and commenced a detailed search-and-destroy mission, the terrorists opened fire, leading to an intense exchange of gunfire. All three terrorists were neutralized during the firefight. Security officials characterized them as high-priority threats involved in multiple acts of violence and radicalization. As of the latest updates, the operation was ongoing with efforts to sanitize the area to ensure no additional threats or hidden weapon caches remained.
This tactical success follows heightened security concerns after Operation Sindoor, a retaliatory airstrike conducted by India on May 7, which targeted terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Union Home Minister Amit Shah hailed that operation as a “befitting reply” to cross-border terrorism. Subsequently, retaliatory shelling from Pakistan resulted in tragic casualties, including the deaths of 12 civilians and a soldier in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.
Historically, the Keller region has been a persistent hotspot for militancy, marked by a history of insurgency and recurring encounters. A previous gunfight in the Yarwan forest in 2019 also ended with the elimination of three militants, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in South Kashmir despite continuous counterinsurgency operations.
Officials highlighted the critical need for sustained operations to prevent militant regrouping and to preserve peace in the region. A senior army officer involved in the operation stated, “The elimination of these terrorists is a step toward dismantling the network that threatens regional stability.”
Public response has largely favored the Army’s prompt action, with citizens and local leaders expressing relief. However, there remains a cautious sentiment among residents, wary of potential escalations given the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan, as well as the historically unstable situation in Kashmir. The territorial dispute, which has led to wars in 1947-48, 1965, and the 1999 Kargil conflict, continues to complicate the security landscape in the area.
Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant as follow-up operations are underway in Keller and surrounding regions. Further details are anticipated as investigations progress and the identities of the neutralized militants are confirmed.
Through Operation Keller, the Indian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating terrorism from the Valley, amidst geopolitical tensions that threaten to exacerbate instability in the region.
