SRINAGAR: An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in the Nader, Tral area of Awantipora in south Kashmir on Thursday morning. Kashmir Zone Police confirmed the development through a post on their official ‘X’ handle, stating, “Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”
#Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of #Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) May 15, 2025
This is the second such gunfight reported in the Valley within 48 hours. On May 13, three outlaws were gunned down in a joint operation by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the Shoekal Keller area of Shopian district. The operation, named ‘Keller’, was launched following specific intelligence input from a Rashtriya Rifles unit.
In a statement on social media, the Army said, “On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence… about the presence of terrorists in the general area of Shoekal Keller, Shopian, Indian Army launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire, and a fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in the elimination of three hardcore terrorists.”
The fresh wave of encounters comes in the wake of heightened security operations in the region, days after India and Pakistan reached a fresh understanding to halt all cross-border firing and military activity. This agreement followed the launch of India’s ‘Operation Sindoor’ on May 7, a major operation in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead, most of them tourists.
On May 13, the Jammu and Kashmir Police also made public the images of three terror suspects believed to be involved in the Pahalgam attack and announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to their arrest.
