J&K: Encounter breaks out between security forces & terrorists in Awantipora's Tral area two days after Shopian killing

An encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists on Thursday morning in the Nader, Tral area of Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. The development comes only two days after three terrorists with affiliation to the Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an encounter in Shopian, South Kashmir.

The Kashmir police said in an X post, “Encounter has started at Nader, Tral area of Awantipora. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”

(Further details awaited)

Three of the terrorists were killed in the Shukroo forest area of Keller in the Shopian district.

According to sources, one of the terrorists was identified as Shahid Kuttay, son of Mohd Yousuf Kuttay and a resident of Chotipora Heerpora in Shopian.

He was a Category A, LeT operative who was involved in the firing incident at the Danish Resort in Srinagar on April 8, 2024, in which two German tourists and one driver were injured. He joined the terror outfit on March 8, 2023.

Kuttay was involved in the killing of a BJP Sarpanch at Heerpora on May 18, 2024 and was suspect involved in the killing of Territorial Army Personnel at Behibagh in Kulgam on February 3, 2025.

The other identified terrorist was Adnan Shafi Dar, son of Mohd Shafi Dar, who was a resident of Wanduna Melhora in Shopian. He joined the terror outfit on October 18, 2024 and was a category C LeT operative. He was involved in the killing of non-local labourers at Wachi in Shopian on October 18, 2024.

However, the identity of the last terrorist is yet to be confirmed

(With inputs from ANI)