Shopian, Jammu & Kashmir: In a major success for India’s counter-terror grid, security forces on Saturday neutralised two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists, including a top operative, during a fierce encounter in the Chanpora area of Shopian district in South Kashmir.

The operation, which lasted several hours, was launched following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists hiding in the village. Acting on the information, a joint team of the Indian Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles, 20 Rashtriya Rifles, 34 Rashtriya Rifles, 3 Para, along with the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, swiftly cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation.

As security personnel tightened the cordon, the hiding terrorists opened indiscriminate fire, triggering a fierce gunfight at around 7:45 pm. Forces responded with precision, ensuring that the operation remained confined to the targeted area while taking extensive measures to safeguard civilians living nearby.

The two terrorists killed in the encounter were identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganie, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba operative from Kulgam, and his associate Latif Bhatt. According to security officials, Ganie had been actively involved in multiple terror-related activities in South Kashmir and was considered a key figure in the outfit’s operational network. His elimination is being viewed as a significant setback to Lashkar’s presence in the region.

Officials said the terrorists had taken shelter inside a residential locality, making the operation particularly challenging. Despite the complex terrain and the risk to civilians, the joint forces executed the mission with precision, preventing any collateral damage while successfully neutralising both militants.

The encounter is part of the security forces’ sustained intelligence-driven campaign against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Over the past several months, agencies have intensified operations to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, disrupt recruitment modules, and eliminate high-value militants operating across the Valley.

Local residents reported hearing heavy gunfire as the encounter unfolded, with security forces maintaining a tight security cordon throughout the operation. Following the successful conclusion of the encounter, additional deployments were made in and around the area to prevent any law-and-order issues or possible retaliatory actions.

Security officials believe the operation has dealt another significant blow to Lashkar-e-Taiba’s network in South Kashmir, reinforcing the ongoing efforts of the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police to curb terrorism and restore lasting peace in the region.

(Reported by – Mudasir Maqbool)