Following the temporary suspension of “Operation Sindoor” amid a ceasefire with Pakistan, India has now launched a fresh counter-terror operation named “Operation Kellar.”
According to the Indian Army, the new operation was initiated on Tuesday in the Shokal Kellar area of Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir, based on specific intelligence inputs provided by the Rashtriya Rifles regarding the presence of militants. The operation is currently ongoing.
While the intense four-day conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbors has seen a pause—largely attributed to diplomatic efforts by the United States—India has now shifted its focus to rooting out militants it claims are backed by Pakistan.
The Indian Army confirmed that “Operation Kellar” follows the larger military engagement dubbed “Operation Sindoor,” launched on May 7. In Tuesday’s action, Indian forces claim to have neutralized three militants during a gunfight in the Shokal Kellar region.
At around 1 PM, the Indian Army officially announced the operation on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, stating:
“Operation Kellar: On May 13, based on specific intelligence inputs from Rashtriya Rifles, a cordon and search operation was launched in the Shokal Kellar area of Shopian district. During the search, terrorists opened fire on the troops. In retaliatory action, three terrorists were neutralized.”
According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), one of the deceased militants has been identified as Shahid Kuttay, a top commander of the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
A senior police officer confirmed that all three killed were affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba. Two of them were identified as Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi. The identity of the third militant has not yet been established.
Police also reported that Shahid Kuttay was a resident of the Chotipora-Heerpora area of Shopian.
The launch of “Operation Kellar” marks a continuation of India’s aggressive counterterrorism posture in Kashmir, even as broader military tensions with Pakistan appear to have momentarily eased.