Shopian – LeT Commander Killed During Continuing Security Operation
Shopian – A suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was killed during an ongoing security operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday, police said. Security forces were continuing their search for another militant believed to be inside the cordoned area.
Militant identified by police
The deceased was identified as 26-year-old Zakir Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Motalhama village in neighbouring Kulgam district. Police described him as a self-styled commander of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit.
In a statement posted on X, Jammu and Kashmir Police said one Lashkar militant had been killed in a joint operation involving the Shopian Special Operations Group, the Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force.
A senior police official said Ganie had left home on September 27, 2023, reportedly to carry out shuttering work in Dialgam. When he did not return, his family attempted to locate him before filing a missing-person report at Kulgam police station on October 3 that year.
Alleged links to TRF cited
According to officials, Ganie later joined The Resistance Front, which security agencies describe as an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. He was subsequently named in a case registered under provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
The security operation began on July 3 after surveillance cameras reportedly captured the movement of two armed men in a densely wooded orchard in the Meemandar area of Shopian.
Following the footage, a joint team comprising Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, units of the Army’s 55 Rashtriya Rifles and 44 Rashtriya Rifles, and CRPF personnel moved into the area and set up a cordon.
Search continues in dense orchard area
Officials said intermittent firing had been reported during the operation, which has continued for five days. The orchard’s thick vegetation has made the search more challenging, prompting security agencies to deploy additional personnel around the perimeter.
The Army’s Victor Force strengthened the outer cordon to prevent possible escape through nearby orchard routes. Security personnel also used lighting arrangements in and around the area to reduce the possibility of militants moving under cover of darkness or dense foliage.
Authorities have not released details about any recovery made from the site. The operation remained underway at the time of filing, and officials said further information would be shared after the search was completed.
Second militant believed to be trapped
Police and security officials said the second militant is believed to be a man identified as Latif, who allegedly joined the group last year. His full identity and role within the organisation were not immediately disclosed.
Security forces were continuing to search the orchard and surrounding areas as a precaution. Movement in the locality has been restricted during the operation to ensure the safety of residents and personnel involved in the search.
The incident is the latest in a series of counter-terror operations carried out in south Kashmir, where security agencies have increased surveillance and area-dominance measures in recent months. Officials said the focus remains on locating armed militants, preventing their movement and maintaining public safety in sensitive areas.