The operation to track down two local Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists in the Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir entered its third day on Monday, as security forces intensified efforts to neutralize the militants believed to be hiding in a dense orchard, officials said.
Surveillance and Initial Encounter
The two terrorists, identified as Latif and Zakir, were first spotted by surveillance cameras on Friday in an orchard in the Meemandar area, which comprises seven villages. When Army personnel approached, the militants opened fire, triggering a gunfight. Security forces retaliated effectively, but the terrorists managed to evade capture, taking advantage of the thick foliage.
Multi-Agency Cordon and Village Clearance
A joint team comprising several columns of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has established a tight cordon around the area. By Sunday evening, four of the seven villages had been cleared. The searches resumed at daybreak on Monday after a nightlong suspension, according to officials.
Additional Deployments and Challenges
The Army’s specialized counter-insurgency unit, the Victor Force, has deployed additional personnel to plug all possible escape routes through the dense orchard. The area has also been illuminated to prevent the militants from exploiting blind spots. Officials noted that during the summer months, heavy foliage provides natural cover, making surveillance difficult and allowing trapped terrorists to break cordons.
Background of the Militants
According to security records, both Latif and Zakir are residents of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. Zakir has been associated with LeT since 2024, while Latif joined the outfit last year. The operation underscores the ongoing challenge of containing local operatives, who play a critical role in logistics networks and recruitment cycles.
Strategic Importance of Shopian
Shopian has historically served as a vital transit corridor connecting south Kashmir to central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range. Officials emphasized that while foreign terrorists are increasingly used for attacks, neutralizing local militants like Latif and Zakir is essential to disrupting these networks and breaking the cycle of local recruitment.
