A top commander of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Zakir Ganai, was killed in an encounter with security forces in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Wednesday, marking a major breakthrough in an intelligence-based operation.
Ganai, who was classified as an A++ category terrorist by security agencies, was among two terror operatives spotted in an orchard on 3 July. Security forces immediately launched a search operation across at least seven villages in the area.
Confirming Ganai’s killing, the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said, “Based on specific intelligence input from the J&K Police, a joint search operation was launched by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF in the general area of Chanapora, Shopian. During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place between the security forces and terrorists.”
“One LeT terrorist, identified as Zakir Ganai, has been eliminated in the fire-fight. Arms, ammunition, and other war-like stores were recovered. The operation is in progress,” it added.
Meanwhile, a search operation has been launched to track down the other terrorist, identified as Latif Bhatt.
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.
J&K Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat visited Shopian, where he reviewed the operation with senior officers of the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police.