Security forces maintain heightened vigil amid an anti-terror operation in J&K’s Shopian district.
By Tehelka Web Desk
A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander was killed on Wednesday during an ongoing anti-terror operation in south Kashmir’s Shopian district, while security forces continued searches for another militant believed to be trapped in the area.
The slain militant was identified as Zakir Ahmad Ganai, an A++ category LeT commander. Officials said he was killed during a joint operation by the Indian Army, J&K Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Chanapora area of Shopian.
Confirming the development, the J&K Police posted on X: “You Can Run But You Can’t Hide! One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian, in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF.”
Police said the operation, launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs on July 3, is still underway to trace Ganai’s associate, Latif Bhatt.
Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, visited Shopian to review the operation and assess the situation on the ground.
In a post on X, the Army said: “OP CHANAPORA, Shopian. Based on specific intelligence input from @JmuKmrPolice, a joint search operation was launched by the #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf srinagar in the Gen area of Chanapora, Shopian. During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place between security forces and terrorist. One LeT terrorist, identified as ZakirGanai, has been eliminated in the firefight. Arms, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered. Operation is in progress. #Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA@PRODefSrinagar.”
Officials said arms, ammunition and other incriminating material were recovered from the encounter site. The search operation in the area continues.
