Operation Resumes in Shopian's Meemandar Area
An overnight operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district entered its second day on Sunday as security forces resumed the search for two local terrorists of the banned outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who were cornered in a dense orchard, officials said. The searches were resumed early morning to track down the two terrorists, identified as Latif and Zakir, who were spotted by surveillance cameras on Friday in an orchard in the Meemandar area, which comprises seven villages.
A joint team of several columns of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid a tight cordon around the area and cleared four villages by Saturday evening. Officials stated that 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, besides lighting up the area.
Gunfight Erupts as Terrorists Open Fire
The two trapped terrorists opened fire on approaching Army personnel, who effectively retaliated, triggering a gunfight, officials said. During the summer months, the heavy foliage offers natural cover, making surveillance difficult and allowing trapped terrorists to exploit blind spots to break cordons. According to security records, both trapped terrorists are residents of south Kashmir's Kulgam district. While Zakir is reportedly associated with the LeT since 2024, Latif joined the LeT ranks 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.
Security Forces Maintain Tight Cordon
The operation began after surveillance cameras spotted the two terrorists on Friday, leading to a massive search operation. The Meemandar area, with its dense orchards and seven villages, poses a significant challenge for security forces. The cordon has been reinforced with additional troops from the Victor Force to ensure no escape routes remain open. Officials confirmed that the search is ongoing and that the area has been lit up to prevent any movement under the cover of darkness.
The identification of the terrorists as local residents from Kulgam highlights the continued presence of homegrown militants in the region. Security forces are determined to neutralize them to prevent further attacks and recruitment drives. The operation is being closely monitored by senior police and army officials.
