Security forces killed a Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militant in an encounter in south Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, marking the first gunfight between militants and security forces in the Kashmir Valley this year.
Details of the Operation
According to police officials, the encounter broke out in Channapora village of Shopian after security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. As the forces closed in, the hiding militants opened fire, prompting retaliation from security forces. The two militants were also captured on a surveillance camera.
During a subsequent search operation, security forces recovered the body of an LeT militant identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganie. The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps stated that the joint search operation was launched based on specific intelligence input from Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Exchange of Fire and Seizure
"During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place between security forces and terrorists," the Army said. The Army confirmed that one LeT terrorist, identified as Zakir Ganie, was eliminated in the firefight. "Arms, ammunition and other war-like stores were seized. The operation is in progress," the Army added.
Sources indicated that Zakir hailed from neighboring Kulgam and had been active since 2024. The Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on X: "You can run but you can’t hide! One Lashkar terrorist was neutralised by SOG (Special Operation Group of J&K Police) Shopian in a joint operation along with RR (Rashtriya Rifles) and CRPF."
Ongoing Operations and Strategic Significance
Apart from Ganie, the other trapped militant is believed to be Latif, who joined the outfit last year. The Army's specialized 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. Shopian has historically served as a critical transit corridor connecting south Kashmir to central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range.
