Shopian: The anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district continued for a second consecutive day on Sunday, with security forces maintaining an extensive cordon around an orchard where two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants are believed to be hiding. Reinforcements have been deployed to prevent any escape attempts as the search enters a critical phase.
The operation was launched after intelligence inputs and surveillance footage reportedly indicated the presence of the two local militants in the Meemandar area. Security personnel from the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) swiftly sealed the region and began a systematic search of nearby villages.
Officials said the suspects opened fire when troops moved closer to their suspected location, prompting a brief exchange of gunfire. Since then, forces have intensified search efforts while exercising caution due to the dense vegetation that provides natural cover.
To strengthen the operation, additional teams from the Army’s specialised Victor Force have been deployed. Security personnel have illuminated vulnerable areas during the night and established multiple checkpoints around the orchard to block possible escape routes.
According to officials, the two militants have been identified as Latif and Zakir, both residents of Kulgam district. Preliminary information suggests that Zakir became associated with the banned terror outfit in 2024, while Latif is believed to have joined the group last year.
The ongoing operation has also led to heightened security in surrounding villages, where residents have been advised to remain indoors and cooperate with security agencies until the search concludes.
Security officials noted that Shopian remains strategically important because of its connectivity to other parts of south Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region. Preventing local militants from regrouping is considered crucial for weakening terror infrastructure and disrupting recruitment networks operating in the Valley.
Authorities have stated that the operation will continue until the area is fully sanitised and the suspects are either apprehended or neutralised. Further updates are expected as the search progresses.
