Awantipora, Jammu and Kashmir, May 15, 2025 – A fierce gunbattle erupted in Nader, Tral, Awantipora, Pulwama district, on Thursday morning during a joint cordon and search operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF. Launched based on specific intelligence inputs, the operation, codenamed OP NADER, saw vigilant troops detect suspicious activity. When challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire, triggering an intense encounter.
Official sources report one terrorist neutralized, with two others possibly trapped as the operation continues. The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF Srinagar Sector have maintained a tight cordon. “The operation is in progress,” stated Jammu and Kashmir Police.
This marks the second major encounter in Jammu and Kashmir within 48 hours, following the elimination of three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in Shopian’s Keller Forest on May 13 under Operation Keller.
The encounter follows the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26, mostly tourists, prompting India’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, neutralizing approximately 100 terrorists in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. CRPF’s CoBRA unit and additional battalions have bolstered counter-terrorism efforts in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Army stated: “On 15 May 2025, based on specific intelligence input from an agency, a Cordon & Search Operation was launched by Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF at Nader, Tral, Awantipora. Suspicious activity was observed by vigilant troops and on being challenged, terrorists opened heavy fire.”
Jammu and Kashmir Police added, “Police and security forces are on the job.” Locals are urged to stay indoors, and the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir remains intact. The operation underscores ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist networks amid heightened security measures.
