Operation Keller: Indian Army Takes Down 3 Terrorists in South Kashmir

In a significant counter-terrorism operation, the Indian Army on Tuesday eliminated three terrorists in a fierce encounter in the Shoekal Keller area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. The operation was launched early morning based on specific intelligence inputs provided by a Rashtriya Rifles unit deployed in the region.

According to the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) of the Indian Army, the operation began after credible inputs suggested the presence of terrorists hiding in the area. As the Army’s search teams zeroed in on the suspected location, they came under heavy fire from the terrorists, prompting a swift and strong retaliation.

“A fierce firefight ensued, leading to the neutralisation of three heavily armed terrorists,” the Army stated in a post on X (formerly Twitter), adding that the operation is still underway. Additional forces have been deployed to ensure no other militants are hiding in the vicinity.

The Shopian district, a known hotbed for local and foreign terrorist activities, has seen increased Army operations in recent months, especially following intelligence about renewed infiltration attempts and recruitment by proscribed groups. The latest operation underscores the Indian Army’s continued focus on active counter-insurgency efforts in South Kashmir, particularly under the broader “search and destroy” strategy.

Search and destroy operations are high-intensity missions aimed at flushing out terrorists based on real-time human or technical intelligence. These operations involve carefully coordinated action by infantry units, often with aerial surveillance, sniffer dogs, and support from local police and paramilitary forces.

In this case, the Rashtriya Rifles, an elite counter-insurgency force of the Indian Army specially tasked with tackling terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir played a crucial role in identifying and engaging the hostile elements.

Operation Keller marks the Indian Army's latest counter-terror initiative following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives. Launched after Operation Sindoor, this fresh offensive aims to intensify anti-terror efforts in south Kashmir, particularly in high-risk zones like Shopian.​