After Sindoor, Operation Keller: Top LeT Commander Killed | Vantage with Palki Sharma

.
.
.
play video:

After Operation Sindoor, India Launches Operation Keller: Top LeT Commander Killed in Kashmir

By [Your Name], Firstpost

India’s fight against terrorism has entered a critical new phase, marked by a series of high-stakes operations in the Kashmir Valley. Following the ongoing Operation Sindoor, which was launched in response to the recent surge in terror attacks, Indian security forces have now initiated a second major manhunt: Operation Keller. This new operation, named after the area where a dramatic encounter unfolded, has already dealt a significant blow to Pakistan-backed terror networks operating in the region, most notably with the elimination of a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander linked to multiple high-profile attacks in 2024.

The Context: A Surge in Terrorism and the Pahelgam Attack

The latest escalation in counterterrorism efforts comes in the wake of the deadly Pahelgam attack, which shocked the nation nearly three weeks ago. In that incident, heavily armed terrorists ambushed a bus carrying pilgrims, resulting in numerous casualties and injuries. The attack was a stark reminder of the persistent threat posed by cross-border terrorism, particularly from groups operating with impunity in Pakistan-occupied territories.

Despite intensive search operations immediately after the attack, the perpetrators remained at large, prompting Indian authorities to adapt and intensify their strategy. Operation Sindoor, launched soon after the Pahelgam incident, aimed at flushing out terror modules and dismantling support networks. However, as leads emerged and intelligence was refined, it became clear that a more focused manhunt was necessary to track down the masterminds and active shooters involved.

Operation Keller: A New Phase in the Manhunt

On [Date], Indian security forces launched Operation Keller, named after the Shokal Keller area in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The operation was designed as a targeted effort to locate and neutralize the terrorists responsible for the Pahelgam attack and disrupt the wider Lashkar-e-Taiba network in the region.

The operation began with actionable intelligence that a group of heavily armed terrorists, including top commanders, were hiding in Kulgam. As Indian Army units, supported by local police and paramilitary forces, closed in on the suspects, the terrorists attempted to escape towards Shopian, a neighboring district known for its dense forests and challenging terrain. The encounter that followed was fierce but decisive. Security forces managed to corner the terrorists in Shokal Keller, leading to a protracted gunfight.

By the end of the operation, three terrorists had been neutralized. Among them was a major target: Shahid Kout, the chief of The Resistance Front (TRF)—a notorious LeT proxy group believed to be behind the Pahelgam attack and several other deadly incidents in recent months.

Who Was Shahid Kout?

Shahid Kout was not just another militant; he was a central figure in the Lashkar-e-Taiba’s Kashmir operations. As the chief of the TRF, Kout was responsible for recruitment, training, and coordination of terror activities across South Kashmir. Intelligence sources link him to a string of attacks in 2024, including the shooting of two German tourists and the assassination of a local politician. He is also believed to have played a key role in orchestrating the Pahelgam attack.

Kout’s operational expertise and direct links to handlers in Pakistan made him a high-value target. Observers note that he was instrumental in receiving weapons, explosives, and funding from across the border, facilitating the logistics that kept the LeT’s Kashmir network alive. His death, therefore, represents a major setback for both the TRF and the broader Lashkar-e-Taiba infrastructure in the region.

Demolishing the Terror Network

The elimination of Shahid Kout is only one part of a broader effort to dismantle the terror ecosystem in Kashmir. In the weeks following the Pahelgam attack, local authorities have intensified their crackdown on suspected militants and their supporters. As part of this campaign, the homes of at least ten known terrorists have been demolished, including Kout’s own residence. This approach, though controversial, is seen by some as a necessary measure to deter local support for militancy and disrupt logistical safe havens.

Yet, the mission is far from over. The principal attackers behind the Pahelgam incident remain at large, and the manhunt continues with renewed urgency.

The Hunt Continues: Bounty and Public Appeals

The Jammu and Kashmir Police have released sketches and details of three key suspects believed to be directly involved in the Pahelgam attack. A reward of 20 lakh rupees (approximately $24,000) has been announced for information leading to the capture of each suspect. Among them is a local Kashmiri named Hussein Toker, while the other two—Ali Bhai (also known as Talha) and Hassim Musa (aka Sullean)—are Pakistani nationals.

Their faces are now public, and security agencies are appealing to citizens for any information that could lead to their arrest. Initial reports suggested that up to seven terrorists were involved in the attack, but the current focus is on these three high-priority targets.

Operation Keller: A Symbol of Continuity

The naming of Operation Keller is significant. Indian authorities want to convey that their counterterrorism efforts are not isolated or reactive, but part of a sustained, long-term campaign. The choice of name underscores the continuity of India’s determination to root out terrorism from its soil, regardless of how many operations it takes or how long the fight endures.

Diplomatic Front: Taking the Fight to the United Nations

India’s campaign against terrorism is not limited to the battlefield. Recognizing the international dimensions of the threat, New Delhi is stepping up diplomatic pressure as well. This week, a team of Indian officials is scheduled to present evidence at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), aiming to expose the role of Pakistan-based groups in the Pahelgam attack and to push for the designation of the TRF as a terrorist organization under UN sanctions.

India’s case is strengthened by the growing consensus among global powers that groups like the TRF are nothing more than proxies for Pakistan’s intelligence apparatus. However, the road ahead is not without obstacles.

Pakistan and China: Shielding Terror Proxies at the UN

In the immediate aftermath of the Pahelgam attack, the UNSC issued a statement condemning the violence. However, the statement notably omitted any reference to the TRF—a move attributed to diplomatic maneuvering by Pakistan, a non-permanent member of the Security Council, with the backing of China, a permanent member. Together, they reportedly succeeded in removing all mention of the TRF from the official record.

This act of shielding a known terror proxy has not gone unnoticed. Indian officials have raised the issue with international partners, asking a pointed question: Why would Pakistan go out of its way to protect a group like the TRF if it were not complicit in its activities? The Pakistani government, for its part, even claimed credit for this diplomatic maneuver in its own parliament, further fueling suspicions about its true intentions.

Global Support and the Challenge Ahead

Despite these challenges, sources say that most major global players now agree with India’s assessment: The TRF is a front for Lashkar-e-Taiba, and by extension, for elements within the Pakistani state. There is growing momentum to have the group formally listed as a terrorist organization at the UN, though the process is fraught with political obstacles.

For India, the stakes are high. Success would not only isolate Pakistan diplomatically but also cut off vital funding and logistical support for terror groups operating in Kashmir. It would also send a strong message to other state sponsors of terrorism that the international community will not tolerate duplicity.

A Commitment to Truth and Accountability

As India’s counterterror operations continue, the role of the media becomes ever more critical. At Firstpost, we have committed ourselves to accuracy and accountability. We recognize that in the rush to break news, mistakes can happen—as was the case recently when visuals from a registered news agency turned out to be fake. We have taken responsibility for this error, and from now on, every visual, picture, and video on our platform will be sourced and verified.

Our pledge is simple: We will wait, verify, and ask again before bringing you the facts. In an environment rife with noise and misinformation, what the country needs most is calm, clear, and credible reporting. No panic, no sensationalism—just the truth.

Conclusion: The Road Ahead

The killing of Shahid Kout in Operation Keller is a significant milestone in India’s ongoing battle against terrorism in Kashmir. But it is not the end. The hunt for the remaining perpetrators of the Pahelgam attack continues, and the broader struggle against cross-border terror networks is far from over.

India’s multi-pronged strategy—combining military action, legal crackdowns, and diplomatic initiatives—reflects a new phase in its resolve to safeguard national security. As the world watches, the message from New Delhi is clear: The fight against terrorism will be relentless, and those who shelter or support such groups will be held accountable, both on the ground and on the world stage.