At least one Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist has been killed in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian on Tuesday during an ongoing encounter with security forces. Two additional Lashkar terrorists are believed to be trapped as the exchange of fire continues between them and security agencies.
This encounter comes shortly after security forces launched a public campaign, displaying ‘Terror Free Kashmir’ posters across multiple locations in the Shopian district. These posters identified three Pakistan-backed terrorists — Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa — believed to be behind the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Posters and Bounty Announced
The posters, prominently displayed in various parts of Shopian, were part of an intensified counter-terrorism effort. Authorities have announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for credible information leading to the capture or neutralization of the listed terrorists.
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Adil Hussain Thoker has been under intense scrutiny after reportedly playing a significant role in facilitating Pakistani terrorists for the Pahalgam attack. In a dramatic turn, Thoker’s residence in Bijbehara was destroyed using IEDs on April 25, just days after the attack in the Baisaran Valley, a popular tourist spot.
Thoker had crossed the Attari-Wagah border into Pakistan in 2018 and is believed to have infiltrated back into the Valley last year, further escalating tensions in the region.
PM Modi Issues Stern Warning to Pakistan
The developments in Shopian follow Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first public address since India launched Operation Sindoor, a strategic military response to the Pahalgam terror attack. In his address on Monday, PM Modi delivered a firm warning, asserting that India had only “paused” its military operations against Pakistan.”We will be monitoring every step of Pakistan,” PM Modi said, adding, “The way the Pakistani Army and the Pakistan government are encouraging terrorism, it will destroy Pakistan one day.”
Operation Sindoor: India’s Counter-Terror Response
Launched in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attacks, Operation Sindoor has targeted terror camps operated by Lashkar-e-Taiba, Hizbul Mujahideen, and Jaish-e-Mohammed across the border in Pakistan. The military initiative led to a four-day armed confrontation between India and Pakistan — both nuclear-armed nations — before the two sides agreed to pause all military action by Saturday evening.
The killing of the Lashkar terrorist in Shopian and the ongoing standoff highlights the high alert maintained by Indian forces. Security officials remain focused on flushing out remaining militants, as national security concerns continue to dominate the political and defense agenda.
