Shopian – Search Operation Continues for Two LeT-Linked Militants in Orchard Belt
Shopian – Security forces continued a large-scale search operation for two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba-linked militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday, the third day of an intensive cordon-and-search exercise in the Meemandar area. The operation is focused on a densely wooded orchard zone where the two were reportedly seen on surveillance footage last week.
Search Resumes After Overnight Pause
The search was restarted at daybreak after security personnel paused field operations during the night. Officials said the suspected militants were first detected on Friday through surveillance cameras installed near an orchard spread across the Meemandar cluster, an area covering seven villages.
Army units, Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel and Central Reserve Police Force teams have been deployed in multiple columns around the area. The joint force has maintained a strict security perimeter while conducting systematic searches through orchards, residential pockets and adjoining routes.
Four Villages Cleared During Operation
By Sunday evening, security teams had completed searches in four of the seven villages within the operational zone, according to officials. The remaining areas are being checked carefully because the orchard terrain and dense summer foliage make movement difficult to monitor.
The suspected militants have been identified as Latif and Zakir, both believed to be residents of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Officials said the two fired at Army personnel as troops moved closer to their suspected position, leading to an exchange of fire. No immediate details about casualties or damage were made available.
Additional Troops Deployed Around Escape Routes
The Army’s Victor Force, a specialised counter-insurgency formation, has strengthened the deployment around the orchard belt. Extra personnel have been positioned along possible exit points to prevent the suspects from leaving the cordoned area through narrow paths, plantation cover or nearby fields.
Officials said the area has also been illuminated at night to reduce the possibility of movement under darkness. Thick foliage during the summer season creates natural concealment and can limit visibility for security teams, particularly in orchards with uneven ground and closely planted trees.
The operation is being carried out with caution because the suspects may attempt to use gaps in the terrain to avoid detection. Security forces are continuing searches village by village while keeping movement restrictions in place around the affected area.
Background of the Two Suspects
Security records indicate that Zakir is believed to have been associated with the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba since 2024. Latif reportedly joined the group last year. Authorities have not released further information about their alleged activities or the circumstances in which they were located in the Shopian area.
Shopian has remained strategically important for security agencies because of its location and road links. The district is considered a transit route connecting parts of south Kashmir with central Kashmir and areas near the Pir Panjal range.
Focus on Local Militant Networks
Officials said security agencies have increasingly faced attacks involving foreign militants in recent years. At the same time, they consider action against local operatives important for disrupting logistical support systems and preventing fresh recruitment.
The ongoing Shopian operation is part of wider counter-insurgency efforts in Jammu and Kashmir, where security agencies continue to monitor militant movement, local support networks and possible infiltration routes. Officials said the search would continue until the entire designated area is cleared.