Top LeT commander Zakir Ganai killed in Shopian encounter; hunt on for second terrorist

Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakir Ganai was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Wednesday, marking a major breakthrough in a multi-day anti-terror operation.

Ganai, who was classified as an A++ category terrorist by security agencies, was among two Lashkar operatives spotted in a dense orchard on July 3, prompting security forces to launch an extensive search operation across several villages in south Kashmir.

His body has been recovered, while the operation continues to trace the second terrorist, identified as Latif Bhatt.

Confirming the development, Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on social media platform X, "You Can Run But You Can't Hide! One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian, in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF."

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Officials described Ganai's killing as a significant success in the ongoing counter-terror operation.

Search continues for second terrorist

With Ganai eliminated, security forces have now intensified efforts to locate Latif Bhatt, the second Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist believed to be hiding in the area.

The operation is spread across seven villages, where teams of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) have maintained a tight security cordon while carrying out extensive combing operations.

The Army's Victor Force, a specialised counter-insurgency unit, has deployed additional personnel to block possible escape routes through the dense orchards and surrounding forested areas.

Security forces have also enhanced night-time surveillance by illuminating vulnerable locations to prevent militants from slipping through the cordon under the cover of darkness.

The thick summer foliage has made the operation challenging, as the dense vegetation limits visibility during search operations.

CCTV footage led to operation

According to security agencies, both Zakir Ganai and Latif Bhatt are residents of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Ganai is believed to have joined Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2024, while Latif reportedly became part of the terrorist outfit last year.

Officials said the operation was launched after investigators obtained CCTV footage believed to show Ganai along with another terrorist moving through the Shopian area. The footage, combined with other intelligence inputs, helped security agencies verify their presence and plan the large-scale search operation.

Security officials said that while foreign terrorists have increasingly been involved in attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, eliminating local militants remains an important objective.

They said neutralising operatives such as Ganai and tracking down Latif are crucial to weakening local militant networks, disrupting recruitment efforts and preventing terrorist groups from rebuilding their support base in the region.

The anti-terror operation remains underway, with security forces continuing intensive searches to locate Latif and ensure the area is fully sanitised.