A gunbattle broke out on Tuesday in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian district between Indian security forces and four terrorists, according to sources within the security establishment. The encounter began in Kulgam before moving to a forested zone in Shopian, where personnel from the Indian Army and paramilitary units engaged the terrorists for nearly two hours.
Three terrorists associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit were confirmed killed in the operation. One of them has been identified as Shahid, a local resident. Earlier in the day, security forces had exchanged fire with three terrorists who were trapped in the area. Intelligence inputs had led to the interception of the terrorists, prompting the confrontation.
The incident comes in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a significant Indian military campaign launched after the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. As part of the operation, Indian forces conducted precision airstrikes on terrorist facilities located in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. The Indian government clarified that only terror-linked sites were targeted.
Following the airstrikes, Pakistan retaliated with intense shelling that resulted in civilian fatalities and launched multiple drones and missiles aimed at Indian civilian areas. Most of these projectiles were intercepted by India&rsquo;s air defence systems. In response, Indian forces launched targeted strikes on key Pakistani military sites, including major airbases, causing substantial damage.
A ceasefire agreement was reached on May10, bringing a temporary halt to hostilities. However, Indian defence officials have indicated that Pakistani activities will be monitored closely, and any further provocation will meet with immediate retaliation.
Addressing the nation on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described Operation Sindoor as a defining moment in India's counter-terrorism efforts, setting a precedent for future action.
&ldquo;First, if there is a terrorist attack on India, a fitting reply will be given. We will give a befitting response on our terms only. We will take strict action at every place from where the roots of terrorism emerge. Secondly, India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail. India will strike precisely and decisively at the terrorist hideouts developing under the cover of nuclear blackmail,&rdquo; the Prime Minister said.
&ldquo;Thirdly, we will not differentiate between the government sponsoring terrorism and the masterminds of terrorism. During Operation Sindoor the world has again seen the ugly face of Pakistan, when top Pakistani army officers came to bid farewell to the slain terrorists. This is strong evidence of state-sponsored terrorism. We will continue to take decisive steps to protect India and our citizens from any threat,&rdquo; he added.
Shortly before Tuesday&rsquo;s encounter, security agencies distributed posters in multiple locations across Shopian declaring the region &lsquo;Terror Free Kashmir&rsquo;. The posters featured images of three Pakistan-supported terrorists believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack: Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa. Authorities announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for any credible information about them.
Earlier, on April 25, Jammu and Kashmir officials demolished the residence of Thoker in Bijbehara using improvised explosive devices. He is suspected of having played a major role in assisting Pakistani terrorists to carry out the April 22 assault in the Baisaran Valley.&nbsp;
Thoker reportedly crossed into Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah border in 2018 and returned to the Kashmir Valley last year.
In his national address, Prime Minister Modi also issued a stern warning regarding further aggression from across the border.
&ldquo;We will be monitoring every step of Pakistan,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;The way the Pakistani Army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day.&rdquo;
Operation Sindoor targeted multiple camps operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen inside Pakistani territory. The strikes led to four days of armed escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations, ending only after a mutual agreement to pause military activities was reached on Saturday evening.
Security operations continue in the Shopian region as forces remain on high alert.
(With inputs from agencies)
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India continues anti-terror operations post-Operation Sindoor; Shopian encounter leaves three terrorists dead

Three Lashkar Terrorists Killed in Shopian Gunfight

India continues anti-terror operations post-Operation Sindoor; Shopian encounter leaves three terrorists dead

May 13, 2025 | 13:07 IST