Tral, Jammu and Kashmir (National Times): In a decisive pre-dawn encounter on Thursday, Indian security forces gunned down three terrorists in Tral’s Nader locality as part of Operation Nader, reinforcing India’s renewed push against terrorism in the Kashmir Valley.
According to defense officials, the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs, with personnel from the Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police moving in to seal off suspected hideouts in the area. Troops observed unusual movement, and upon confronting the suspects, they came under heavy fire, triggering a fierce gunbattle.
The Chinar Corps confirmed the outcome via a post on their official X (formerly Twitter) handle: “Three hardcore terrorists have been eliminated in the ongoing Operation at Nader, Awantipora. Identity of terrorists is being ascertained.”
The encounter comes just days after a significant joint operation in the Shopian district led to the death of three more militants, including a senior commander affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba and its shadow group, The Resistance Front (TRF). Recovered items from that operation included AK-series rifles, ammunition, grenades, and tactical gear.
This recent wave of counterinsurgency activity follows the devastating Pahalgam terror strike, in which 26 civilians lost their lives. The attack, claimed by the TRF, prompted national outrage and heightened vigilance across the Valley.
Security analysts suggest these operations are part of a multi-layered response, including Operation Sindoor, a series of high-precision cross-border strikes that targeted key terror installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Among the targets were facilities at Bhawalpur, linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Muridke, a long-standing Lashkar training center.
Indian officials maintain that these actions are intended to disrupt and dismantle terror infrastructure before it can rebuild. The TRF, which has emerged as a prominent player in Kashmir’s militancy in recent years, is classified as a terrorist organization under Indian law and is closely aligned with Lashkar-e-Taiba, a group designated by the United Nations.
While the situation in Awantipora has now stabilized, military officials caution that search operations remain active, as they continue to track potential remaining operatives in the region.
