Daijiworld Media Network - Srinagar
Srinagar, May 15: In a significant counterterrorism operation, three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists were killed on Thursday during a fierce gunfight with security forces in Nader village, located in the Tral area of Pulwama district, Jammu and Kashmir.
The slain terrorists have been identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat—all residents of Pulwama district.
This marks the second major encounter in Jammu and Kashmir within 48 hours.
Earlier in the day, the Indian Army’s 15 Corps, headquartered in Srinagar, said on X:
“On May 15, 2025, based on specific intelligence input from an agency, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and Srinagar Sector CRPF at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and, upon being challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire. A fierce gunfight ensued.”
The operation was initiated after security forces received specific intelligence inputs and cordoned off the area. As the forces moved in, the hiding terrorists opened fire, triggering the encounter.
The J&K Police, also posting on X, confirmed the ongoing encounter and stated, “Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”
This gunfight follows a similar operation just two days earlier in Shopian district, where three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in the Keller area. Among them, Shahid Kuttay—involved in multiple terror attacks including one on German tourists and the killing of a BJP Sarpanch—was neutralized along with Adnan Shafi.
Despite a ceasefire understanding announced between India and Pakistan on May 10, terror activities have continued. Notably, within hours of the ceasefire, terrorists attacked a sentry post at the White Knight Corps HQ in Nagrota.
India has strongly reiterated that any terror activity within its borders will be treated as an "act of war". This stance follows the April 22 massacre in which 26 innocent people, including 25 tourists, were killed by LeT terrorists in Baisaran meadow, Pahalgam.
India retaliated with precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). As a result, diplomatic and trade ties remain frozen, with India continuing the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty.
Meanwhile, cross-border shelling by Pakistan has left over 200 civilian structures damaged, displacing hundreds along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). Many villagers have not yet returned as the Army is actively defusing unexploded mortar shells in the affected zones.