Srinagar, Jul 8: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing five-day long anti-terror operation, security forces on Wednesday killed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakir Ahmad Ganai in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
Ganai, classified as an A++ category terrorist by security agencies, was one of two Lashkar operatives first spotted on July 3 in a dense orchard in the Meemandar-Chanapora area of south Kashmir.
His killings marks a significant success of the security forces against the banned outfit headed by India’s most-wanted terrorist Hafiz Saeed.
Confirming the development, the J&K Police posted on the 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.”
Director General of Police (DGP), J&K, visited Shopian to personally review the ongoing operation and assess the ground situation.
Officials described Ganai’s killing as a major blow to LeT’s operational capabilities in the region.
The massive joint anti-terror operation was launched following specific intelligence inputs and surveillance camera footage that detected suspicious movement by the two terrorists on July 3.
The Meemandar-Chanapora belt, comprising seven villages with dense orchards and challenging terrain, became the focal point of intensive search efforts.
A joint team of the Indian Army (including units of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, 20 RR, 34 RR, 55 RR, and 3 Para), J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) battalions swiftly established a tight multi-layered cordon around the area.
The Army’s Victor Force reinforced the operation, deploying additional troops to seal all possible escape routes through thick foliage.
Security forces also illuminated the area to overcome visibility issues during searches.
The trapped terrorists – Zakir Ahmad Ganai of Kulgam having a history of involvement in attacks on security forces and civilians, and his associate Latif Bhatt, opened fire when security personnel closed in, triggering an intense exchange of fire.
CCTV footage had previously corroborated their presence in the Shopian area.
Search operations continued relentlessly for last five e days.
Joint parties of the security forces systematically cleared multiple villages while maintaining pressure on the cordoned zone. Fresh gun shots were heard near the encounter site on Wednesday, leading to the recovery of a body along with a weapon.
Officials later confirmed the neutralisation of Ganai.
His body has been recovered, while combing operations are continuing to trace and neutralise the second terrorist, Latif Bhatt.
IGP Kashmir V K Birdi had earlier said that the body and weapon were visible at the spot and retrieval was underway, with identity verification in progress.
Officials termed Ganai’s killing a significant success in the counter-terror grid.
As an A++ category operative, he was considered a high-value target due to his role in planning and executing attacks.
The operation highlights the growing effectiveness of technology-driven intelligence, seamless coordination among security agencies, and sustained area domination.
It aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi led government’s ‘Zero Terror Plan’ for Jammu and Kashmir, which emphasises dismantling the entire terror ecosystem through kinetic operations, counter-infiltration measures, and monitoring of terror financing and narco-terror links.
DGP’s on-ground visit underscores the priority accorded to the operation at the highest levels.
Senior officers stressed the importance of synergy between the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF to ensure no gaps in security and to prevent any resurgence of terrorism.
“OP CHANAPORA, Shopian.Based on specific intelligence input from @JmuKmrPolice, a joint search operation was launched by the #IndianArmy, @JmuKmrPolice and @crpf_srinagar in the Gen area of Chanapora, Shopian. During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place between security forces and terrorist. One LeT terrorist, identified as ZakirGanai, has been eliminated in the firefight. Arms, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered.Operation is in progress. #Kashmir@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA@PRODefSrinagar,” the Army said in a post on X.
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