The anti-terrorism operation to apprehend two home-grown Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives entered its fourth day in south Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday, with security personnel restarting the combing drive at daybreak following an overnight pause, according to official sources.
The pursuit recommenced early in the morning after being suspended during the night. The two militants were initially detected via surveillance cameras on July 3 within a dense orchard in the Meemandar region, which spans across seven villages.
Officials stated that the cornered terroristas, identified as Latif and Zakir, engaged the approaching Army personnel with gunfire as the troops drew closer, leading to a retaliatory exchange.
To counter the challenges posed by the thick canopy, the Army’s specialized counter-insurgency wing, Victor Force, has rushed in additional reinforcements to seal every conceivable escape route through the orchard, while also deploying illumination measures to improve visibility in the area.
According to official security records, both terrorists are residents of the neighbouring Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Zakir has been reportedly associated with the LeT since 2024, while Latif is believed to have joined the outfit in the previous year.
