The operation to track down two local Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district entered its third day on Monday, with security forces resuming searches at daybreak after a nightlong suspension, officials said.
Surveillance Sighting Triggers Operation
The two terrorists were spotted by surveillance cameras on Friday in an orchard in the Meemandar area, which comprises seven villages. A joint team of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force laid a tight cordon around the area and cleared four villages by Sunday evening.
The trapped terrorists have been identified as Latif and Zakir. They opened fire on approaching Army personnel, who effectively retaliated, triggering a gunfight, according to officials.
Additional Forces Deployed to Plug Escape Routes
Officials said the Army's specialised counter-insurgency unit, the Victor Force, deployed additional personnel to plug all possible escape routes through the thick foliage of the orchard. The area has also been lit up to prevent the terrorists from exploiting darkness.
During the summer months, heavy foliage provides natural cover, making surveillance difficult and allowing trapped terrorists to exploit blind spots to break cordons, officials noted.
Terrorists Identified as Local Recruits from Kulgam
According to security records, both trapped terrorists are residents of south Kashmir's Kulgam district. Zakir has been associated with LeT since 2024, while Latif joined the outfit last year.
Shopian has historically served as a critical transit corridor connecting south Kashmir to central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range. Officials said that while foreign terrorists have increasingly been used for attacks, containing local operatives like Latif and Zakir remains vital to disrupting logistics networks and breaking the cycle of local recruitment.
