Big success of security forces in Shopian, top Lashkar commander Zakir Ganai killed in encounter

Srinagar: Security forces have achieved major success in the ongoing anti-terrorism operation in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. Zakir Ganai, a senior commander of the banned terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was killed during the cordon and search operation that continued for several days. According to security agencies, Zakir was active in terrorist activities in the valley for a long time and was declared an A++ category terrorist. This action is being considered an important achievement in the ongoing campaign against terrorism in South Kashmir.

This operation continued in Shopian for the fifth consecutive day. The security forces cordoned off the area and did not give any chance to the terrorists to get out. Zakir Ganai was killed in the encounter that took place during this period. His body has also been recovered, due to which security agencies have confirmed his identity. Officials say that this operation started when on July 3, two suspected terrorists were seen in the surveillance cameras installed in a dense garden in the area. After this, a large-scale search operation was started in the entire area.

Now search for second terrorist Latif Bhatt

After the killing of Zakir Ganai, the entire focus of the security agencies is now on capturing or killing the second terrorist, Latif Bhatt. It is believed that he is still hiding in the dense gardens and surrounding areas. The search operation is currently being conducted in seven villages. Security forces are closely investigating every possible hideout so that another terrorist cannot escape under any circumstances.

Joint action of army, police and CRPF

Joint teams of Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) are involved in this operation. The entire area has been surrounded from all sides and all the entry and exit routes are being strictly monitored. According to officials, as soon as the security forces moved towards the suspected spot, there was firing from the terrorists. After this, an encounter started in retaliation, in which Zakir Ganai was killed.

every road was sealed

Victor Force, the special anti-terrorism unit of the army, has completely closed all possible routes emerging from the dense gardens. To continue operations even at night, additional lighting has been arranged in the entire area so that any activity can be monitored. Security officials say that during the summer season, the dense greenery of trees and gardens provides natural concealment to terrorists. For this reason, conducting operations in such areas is challenging and terrorists try to escape by taking advantage of blind spots.

Both the terrorists are residents of Kulgam.

According to records of security agencies, both Zakir Ganai and Latif Bhatt are residents of Kulgam district of South Kashmir. Zakir had joined Lashkar-e-Taiba in the year 2024, while Latif had supported this terrorist organization last year. Zakir was considered an active and dangerous commander of the organization. Security agencies were keeping an eye on his activities for a long time and he was declared wanted on the basis of allegations of involvement in several terrorist incidents.

Shopian district has been counted among the sensitive areas for security agencies for a long time. This region is known as an important route connecting South Kashmir with Central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal ranges. For this reason, terrorists have often been using this area for movement and hiding.