LeT terrorist killed in joint operation by Army, CRPF and J&K police (Img: Dynamite News)
Shopian: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in a joint anti-terror operation by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, police said. The slain terrorist has been identified as Zakir Ganie, a resident of Kulgam who had reportedly joined the terror outfit in 2024.
According to officials, the operation was carried out jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), the Army's Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
The anti-terror operation began on July 3 after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of terrorists in the Meemandar area of Shopian. Security forces established a cordon around a dense orchard spread across seven villages and launched extensive search operations.
Officials said fresh gunfire was heard from the area on Wednesday, prompting security personnel to retaliate. Following the exchange of fire, the body of Zakir Ganie was recovered from the encounter site.
Security forces recovered arms and ammunition during the operation. Search and sanitisation operations are continuing to ensure no other terrorists remain concealed in the area.
In a post on X, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said, "One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian, in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF."
Officials said the anti-terror operation has now entered its fifth day. The security forces continue to maintain a tight security cordon in the area while conducting searches.
Authorities said additional operational details, including the exact quantity of weapons recovered and any further developments, will be shared after the operation is formally concluded.
According to security officials, Zakir Ganie was categorised as an A+++ terrorist on the security forces' wanted list and had been active with Lashkar-e-Taiba since 2024.
