Srinagar, May 15: Three terrorists belonging to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed in an encounter with security forces on Thursday in Nader village of Tral district Pulwama district.
Officials confirmed the identities of the killed terrorists as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat — all from Pulwama district.
This is the second encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in just two days.
Earlier today, the 15 Corps of the Indian Army, based in Srinagar, posted on X:
“On May 15, 2025, after getting specific intelligence input, a search operation was launched by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Suspicious movement was noticed by alert troops. When challenged, the terrorists started firing, and a fierce gun battle started. The operation is ongoing.”
The gunfight began in the Tral area of Pulwama when the hiding terrorists opened fire during a search operation.
J&K Police also posted on X:
“Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. More details will follow.”
Security forces had surrounded the area based on intelligence input. As they got closer to the terrorists’ hideout, firing started from both sides.
This encounter happened just two days after another operation in Shopian district where three terrorists of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed. Two of them were identified as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi, both from Shopian.
Kuttay had joined LeT in 2023 and was involved in an attack at Danish Resort on April 8 last year, where two German tourists and a driver were injured. He was also linked to the killing of a BJP Sarpanch in Heerpora in May 2024. Shafi had joined in 2024 and was involved in the murder of a non-local worker in Wachi, Shopian.
On May 10, India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire, but terrorists attacked a sentry post outside the White Knight Corps HQ in Jammu’s Nagrota area just two hours after the agreement.
India has declared that any terrorist activity on its soil will be seen as an “act of war.” On April 22, LeT terrorists, supported by Pakistan, killed 26 people — 25 tourists and a local — in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam.
In response, India conducted precision strikes on terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to avenge the killings.
India also announced that the Indus Waters Treaty will remain suspended and trade with Pakistan will not resume.
Meanwhile, due to shelling by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border, over 200 homes and shops were destroyed. Many families had to leave their villages and are still living in safer places. Security forces are working to defuse unexploded mortar shells in the affected areas. (IANS)