A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed during a joint counter-terror operation by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday, officials said.

The encounter took place in the Chanpora area of Shopian, where personnel from the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a coordinated operation based on intelligence inputs.

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While officials did not immediately confirm the identity of the slain militant, sources told Hindustan Times that the terrorist was believed to be LeT operative Zakir Gania.

Joint operation leads to terrorist’s death

Confirming the development, the Jammu and Kashmir Police said one Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was neutralised during the joint operation.

In a post on X, the police said, “One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian, in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF.”

The police also issued a strong warning to militants active in the region, stating: “You can run, but you can’t hide!”

Officials said further details regarding the operation and the identity of the slain terrorist would be shared after the completion of standard identification and verification procedures.

Search operation launched after intelligence inputs

According to PTI, security forces had launched an extensive search operation on July 3 in the Meemandar area of south Kashmir’s Shopian district following intelligence inputs about the presence of militants.

Security forces during a joint operation in Shopian, where a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police./ X, District Police Kulgam: official
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Security forces during a joint operation in Shopian, where a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist was killed by the Army, CRPF and Jammu and Kashmir Police./ X, District Police Kulgam: official

The operation covered seven villages and focused on dense orchard areas where militants were suspected to be hiding. Officials said the encounter in Chanpora was part of the continuing counter-terror operation in the district.

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Security forces remain deployed in the area, and search operations are continuing to ensure no other militants are present, officials added.

FAQs


Who was killed in the Shopian encounter?

Officials have not officially confirmed the identity. However, sources told Hindustan Times that the slain militant was believed to be Lashkar-e-Taiba operative Zakir Gania.

Which security agencies carried out the operation?

The operation was jointly conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).