What is Operation Keller That India Launched After Operation Sindoor?
New Delhi | May 14, 2025 — Just days after the high-impact cross-border strike dubbed Operation Sindoor, the Indian Army executed another decisive anti-terror mission in Jammu & Kashmir. Codenamed Operation Keller, the latest offensive targeted Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives hiding in the dense forests of the Keller area in South Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Three Terrorists Neutralised, Including Top LeT Commander
On May 13, 2025, security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the Shukroo Keller region based on specific intelligence inputs from the Rashtriya Rifles unit. The information indicated the presence of multiple armed militants affiliated with LeT.
OPERATION KELLER
— ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 13, 2025
On 13 May 2025, based on specific intelligence of a #RashtriyasRifles Unit, about presence of terrorists in general area Shoekal Keller, #Shopian, #IndianArmy launched a search and destroy Operation. During the operation, terrorists opened heavy fire and fierce… pic.twitter.com/KZwIkEGiLF
According to officials, three terrorists were gunned down during the encounter, which lasted several hours. Among them was Shahid Kuttay, a top LeT commander and a category “A” terrorist. A native of Chotipora Heerpora in Shopian, Kuttay had joined the terror outfit in March 2023 and was allegedly involved in numerous attacks, including the assassination of a BJP sarpanch on May 18, 2024.
The second terrorist killed was identified as Adnan Shafi, a category “C” terrorist from Wanduna Melhora. He was implicated in the October 2024 killing of a non-local labourer in Wachi, Shopian. The identity of the third terrorist is currently under verification.
Operation Keller: A Swift Tactical Strike
Operation Keller began around 12:50 PM on Tuesday, when forces surrounded the suspected hideout following pinpoint intelligence. The Indian Army, in coordination with Jammu & Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces, engaged in a tactical strike to neutralize the threat.
Authorities emphasized that the operation reflects India’s continued crackdown on terrorism in the Kashmir Valley, particularly in regions long known for dense forest cover and difficult terrain that militants often exploit.
Operation Keller Follows ‘Sindoor’
The timing of Operation Keller is significant. It came less than a week after India launched Operation Sindoor — a high-profile cross-border air strike on terror camps located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). That May 7 operation was conducted in response to the April 22 Pahalgam massacre, in which 26 civilians, including tourists, were killed.
Operation Sindoor reportedly eliminated nine terror hubs, signaling India’s renewed assertiveness in counter-terrorism policy. Operation Keller, while localized, underscores the second phase of India’s broader counter-terror strategy in the region.
A Pattern of Coordinated Response
Both operations showcase India’s strategic shift toward precision strikes and swift retaliation. Officials say that the military and intelligence community have adopted a zero-tolerance approach following recent provocations, with faster mobilization and integrated responses.
The elimination of high-value targets like Shahid Kuttay is seen as a major blow to LeT’s operational capabilities in South Kashmir. Experts note that back-to-back missions like Sindoor and Keller are designed to disrupt command structures and demoralize terror outfits, while also sending a message to their cross-border backers.
