Lashkar Commander Zakir Ganai Killed in Shopian Encounter After Four-Day Operation

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 counter-terror operation that has been underway since last week.

Ganai was among two terrorists first spotted through surveillance footage in a dense orchard on July 3, prompting an extensive search operation involving the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Confirming the development, Jammu and Kashmir Police posted on X: “You can run, but you can’t hide. One Lashkar terrorist neutralised by SOG Shopian in a joint operation with the Rashtriya Rifles and CRPF.”

Officials said Ganai’s body was recovered from the encounter site after fresh exchanges of fire were reported in the Chanapora area. Earlier in the day, security forces had reported hearing gunfire near the operation zone before recovering an unidentified body, later confirmed to be that of the LeT commander.

Hunt Continues for Second Terrorist

With Ganai eliminated, security forces have intensified efforts to trace the second militant, identified as Latif, who is believed to remain trapped within the cordoned area.

The operation, now spanning seven villages in Shopian district, continues with multiple search teams carrying out systematic combing operations. Additional troops from the Army’s Victor Force have been deployed to strengthen the outer cordon, seal possible escape routes and conduct night searches across the dense orchard belt.

Officials said the thick summer foliage has made surveillance particularly challenging, providing natural cover that militants can exploit to evade detection.

Both Militants Believed to Be Locals

According to security agencies, both Zakir Ganai and Latif are residents of Kulgam district in south Kashmir.

Ganai is believed to have joined Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2024, while Latif reportedly became associated with the Pakistan-based terror outfit last year.

Security officials said eliminating local militants remains a key priority, as they often play a crucial role in sustaining terror infrastructure, facilitating logistics and encouraging fresh recruitment in the Valley.

Shopian continues to be a strategically sensitive district because of its location along routes connecting south Kashmir with central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region. While foreign terrorists have increasingly figured in recent attacks, officials believe dismantling local militant networks is essential to weakening the outfit’s operational capabilities in the region.

The search for Latif is continuing, with security forces maintaining a tight cordon around the area to prevent any escape.