In a significant blow to terrorism in the Kashmir Valley, Indian security forces neutralized three terrorists in the Nader area of Tral, Awantipora, during a high-stakes counter-terrorism mission on Thursday. The operation, codenamed Operation NADER, was launched in the early hours of the morning based on credible intelligence inputs.
The joint operation was conducted by the Indian Army, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). According to officials, the encounter began when troops noticed suspicious movement in the area. Upon being challenged, the militants opened heavy fire, triggering a fierce exchange. After several hours of intense combat, all three terrorists were eliminated.
Security officials are currently working to establish the identities of the slain militants. Initial assessments suggest links to proscribed terror outfits operating in South Kashmir, possibly connected to the Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group aligned with Lashkar-e-Taiba.
This operation comes just weeks after the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians and intensified counter-insurgency operations across the region. It also follows another successful mission on May 13 in which three Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives were killed.
Operation NADER is part of an ongoing, intelligence-driven campaign by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps and local security agencies to neutralize terrorist threats and restore stability in Jammu and Kashmir. The broader strategy, including Operation All Out that began in 2017, continues to dismantle militant networks through coordinated actions.
Officials have hailed the operation as a clear demonstration of the synergy between different security forces and the effectiveness of real-time intelligence in preventing terror threats. Further investigations are underway, and additional details are expected as search operations in the area continue.
