What Is ‘Operation Keller’? Inside Indian Army’s Latest Counter-Terrorism Mission Launched In J&K

Srinagar: In a significant counter-terrorism success, the Indian Army neutralised three militants linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in a high-risk operation deep within the dense forests of Keller in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on May 13. The encounter unfolded under the banner of “Operation Keller,” a mission initiated based on precise intelligence regarding the presence of armed militants in the Shoekal Keller area.

The operation was led by the Rashtriya Rifles, who swiftly acted upon the intelligence tip-off. As the troops moved in to cordon off the suspected location, they encountered heavy gunfire, sparking a fierce and prolonged gunbattle in the forested terrain. All three militants were eventually killed during the exchange, and their bodies were recovered from the dense vegetation following the operation.

The deceased were identified as Hussain Thokar, a resident of Anantnag, along with two foreign operatives believed to be Pakistani nationals, Ali Bhai (also known as Talha Bhai) and Hasim Musa (alias Suleiman). All were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, an internationally proscribed terror organisation with a long history of orchestrating attacks across the region.

The successful execution of Operation Keller comes shortly after “Operation Sindoor,” a cross-border strike conducted by Indian forces on May 7 targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Together, these operations highlight India’s escalating and increasingly precise campaign against terror infrastructure threatening Jammu and Kashmir.

The operation serves as another clear message that India’s counter-terrorism forces remain unwavering in their pursuit of securing peace and stability in the Kashmir Valley.