Srinagar, May 13 (UNI) In the first gunbattle after the Pahalgam massacre, three hardcore terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, officials said on Tuesday.
Police identified the two slain as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi Dar, both residents of Shopian. The identity of the third militant is yet to be confirmed.
The encounter erupted at the Shoekal Keller forest area when an anti-militancy operation was launched by forces based on the specific intelligence.
The army said an encounter broke out during the search operation that led to the killing of three terrorists.
In a post on X, Army Srinagar based Chinar Corps said, “ On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, about the presence of terrorists in the general area of Shoekal Keller, Shopian, the Indian Army launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in the elimination of three hardcore terrorists.”
As per police records Kuttay had joined the LeT on March 8, 2023, and was a “listed” militant. He was allegedly involved in multiple attacks, including the April 8, 2024 shooting of two German tourists and the killing of a BJP Sarpanch in Heerpora, Shopian in May 2024.
The police records said that Dar was also a “listed” militant and had joined LeT on October 18, 2024. He was allegedly involved in the murder of a non-local labourer in October 2024.
Houses of both Kuttay and Dar were razed recently, allegedly by the forces, just days after the Pahalgam massacre in which 25 tourists and a local were killed. The deadliest attack on tourists prompted massive anti-militancy operations across the Kashmir Valley.
Just hours before the Shopian encounter, posters featuring the three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam attack on tourists have been pasted in several districts of south Kashmir. The posters announce a reward for anyone who provides information leading to their arrest. The attackers remain at large.
UNI MJR BD