Three militants affiliated with the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) were killed in a fierce gunfight with Indian security forces in Nader village, located in the Tral area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district, on Thursday.
The slain militants have been identified as Asif Ahmed Sheikh, Amir Nazir Wani, and Yawar Ahmad Bhat—residents of Pulwama district.
According to officials, the joint operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF based on specific intelligence inputs. “On May 15, 2025, based on specific intelligence input, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched. Suspicious activity was observed and on being challenged, the terrorists opened heavy fire, leading to a fierce gunfight,” the Srinagar-based 15 Corps stated on X.
The encounter began early Thursday morning after the village was surrounded by security forces. As they moved in to conduct searches, the hiding militants opened fire. A prolonged exchange of gunfire ensued, eventually leading to the death of the three JeM operatives.
This was the second major encounter in the region within 48 hours.
Two days ago, security forces had gunned down three Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants in the Keller area of Shopian. Among them were Shahid Kuttay and Adnan Shafi, both residents of Shopian district.
Kuttay had joined Lashkar in 2023 and was accused of being involved in a shooting at the Danish resort in April 2024, which injured two German tourists and a driver. He was also involved in the assassination of a BJP Sarpanch in May last year.
Adnan Shafi, who joined the group in 2024, was linked to the killing of a non-local labourer in Wachi, Shopian.
The recent escalation in encounters follows a fragile ceasefire understanding announced by India and Pakistan on May 10.
India has since reiterated its firm stance that any terror activity on its soil will be treated as an “act of war.”
Security officials continue to blame Pakistan for aiding and sponsoring cross-border terrorism. On April 22, 26 people—including 25 tourists—were killed in Pahalgam’s Baisaran meadow. The incident triggered retaliatory precision strikes by Indian forces “targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).”
Meanwhile, Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border has led to large-scale displacement. Over 200 homes and shops have been damaged, forcing hundreds of residents to flee their villages.
Many of these families remain displaced, as security teams continue to defuse unexploded mortar shells left behind in affected areas.
India has also declared that the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan remains suspended and that there will be no resumption of trade ties.
