A key Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander has been killed in the encounter between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district. Zakir Ganai was one of the two terrorists who were first spotted by surveillance cameras on July 3 in a dense orchard in the area.
His body has been recovered, marking a significant breakthrough for security forces in the massive anti-terror operation, which entered its fifth day on Wednesday, July 8.
He was classified as an A++ category terrorist by security agencies.
With Zakir confirmed dead, the search operation now remains focused on locating the second LeT terrorist identified as Latif Bhatt. The area where the combing operations are underway comprises seven villages.
A joint team of several columns of the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has maintained a tight cordon around the area.
An exchange of gunfire purportedly took place as the security forces were closing in on the terrorists, officials had said earlier.
All possible exit routes through the thick orchard foliage have been sealed by the Army's specialised counter-insurgency unit, Victor Force, and the area has been lit up to enhance visibility.
During the summer months, the heavy foliage offers a natural cover, making surveillance difficult and allowing trapped terrorists to exploit blind spots to break the cordons, officials, cited by news agency PTI, said.
According to security records, both terrorists are residents of south Kashmir's Kulgam district. While Zakir had reportedly been associated with the LeT since 2024, Latif joined the outfit last year.
Historically, Shopian has served as a critical transit corridor connecting south Kashmir to central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range.
