Indian Army neutralises six terrorists in Tral and Pulwama in 48 hours. One terrorist linked to high-profile killings, including a sarpanch and a German tourist.
16 May 2025 In a significant counter-terror breakthrough, the Indian Army announced the elimination of six terrorists in two back-to-back encounters in Jammu and Kashmir’s Tral and Pulwama regions. The operations were conducted in drastically different terrains — one in the forested highlands of Tral and the other in the flat agricultural expanse of Pulwama, underscoring the Army’s tactical versatility.
Tral Encounter: Tactical Rescue Under Fire
Major General Dhananjay Joshi, GOC V Force, stated that the Tral encounter began after intelligence reports on May 12 indicated the movement of a terrorist group in Kelar’s higher forested reaches. On May 13, contact was established, and three terrorists were neutralised after a firefight.
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During the intense exchange, terrorists took up positions in civilian homes. The Army, assisted by J&K Police and CRPF, prioritised the safe evacuation of villagers before neutralising the threat. Among those killed was Shahid Kutte, a wanted terrorist involved in multiple attacks, including the killing of a sarpanch in March and an assault on a German tourist. He was also linked to terror financing.
Pulwama Encounter: Swift Civilian Evacuation, Targeted Neutralisation
In the Pulwama operation, forces received tip-offs about terrorists hiding in a village. Security teams evacuated civilians before engaging the suspects. The operation resulted in the elimination of three Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) operatives:
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- Asif Ahmed Sheikh
- Amir Nazir Wani
- Yawar Ahmed Bhat
Major General Joshi reiterated, “Wherever the terrorists hide, we will find them and neutralise them.”
Background: New Doctrine Under Operation Sindoor
These successful operations follow India’s recent doctrinal shift in counter-terror strategy under Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians. The doctrine now endorses proactive strikes on terror infrastructure, both within and beyond the Line of Control.
Tags:
Jammu and Kashmir, Indian Army, Tral Encounter, Pulwama Encounter, Operation Sindoor, anti-terror operation, Major General Dhananjay Joshi, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Shahid Kutte, terrorist funding, J&K Police, CRPF, OperationSindoor,