LeT terrorist killed in ongoing operation in J&K's Shopian

Srinagar: A terrorist affiliated with Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an ongoing operation in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, police said.

Security forces had launched an operation in the dense orchards of Meemandar area of Shopian spread across several villages on July 3, when an unconfirmed video footage showed two suspected terrorists moving in the orchards.

"You can run, but you can't hide! One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF," J&K Police said in a post on X.


The slain terrorist was identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganie, a self-styled commander of the proscribed LeT, officials said.

Ganie (26), a resident of Motalhama area of the neighbouring Kulgam district, had left his residence on September 27, 2023, for Dialgam area in Anantnag district to undertake shuttering work but failed to return home, they said. After an unsuccessful search, a report was lodged at Kulgam police station on October 3 that year. Ganie subsequently joined The Resistance Front, an offshoot of LeT.

Ganie was implicated in a first information report registered at Kulgam police station under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

A joint team of police, Army's 55 RR and 44 RR, and CRPF had maintained a tight cordon around the area over the past five days, with intermittent exchange of fire with suspected terrorists.

The Army's specialised counter-insurgency unit, Victor Force, has deployed additional personnel to seal all possible escape routes through the thick orchard foliage, besides lighting up the area. The armed forces are looking for another suspect, Latif, who they say could be hiding in the area.

Meanwhile, "three over-ground workers of militants" were apprehended in Anantnag.