Operation Keller: Mastermind Of Pahalgam Terror Attack, TRF Chief Shahid Kuttay, Killed In Shopian Encounter

Shahid Kuttay, the chief of The Resistance Front (TRF) and mastermind behind the recent Pahalgam terror attack, was killed along with two other terrorists in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, the Economic Times reported

"On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, about the presence of terrorists in general area of Shoekal Keller, Shopian. The Indian Army launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce firefight ensued, which resulted in the elimination of three hardcore terrorists," the Indian Army said in a post on X.

The operation, named Operation Keller, was launched based on intelligence inputs about the terrorist presence in the Alshipora area of Shopian. A joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF engaged the militants in a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours.

Shahid Kuttay was a key figure in directing the Pahalgam attack that claimed the lives of 26 civilians and had been on the radar of Indian agencies for months.

His elimination is considered a significant blow to TRF, a proxy of Pakistan-backed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

Security forces have cordoned off the area and are conducting search operations to rule out the presence of more militants. Authorities have also tightened security in the region to prevent any retaliatory action.

The operation follows India's major success in Operation Sindoor, which involved precision airstrikes targeting key terror hubs in Pakistan. Nearly 100 terrorists were eliminated, including operatives at Jaish-e-Mohammad’s headquarters in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba’s training base in Muridke.