A major counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir has been accomplished after security forces killed top LeT commander Zakir Ganai in Shopian.
The operation, initiated after specific intelligence inputs, is still going on and security forces are searching for another terrorist who is hiding in the area.
According to officials, the encounter started after a joint team of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search operation in Shopian.
When the forces moved in on the suspected hideout, the terrorists opened fire and the gun battle erupted in a battle.
Zakir Ganai, a senior commander of Pakistan-backed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, was killed in the encounter, security agencies said.
Ganai had been identified as a high-value target, and had been involved in other terror activities in South Kashmir.
He had been heavily involved in recruiting local youth and in planning attacks against security forces, sources said.
According to officials, intelligence reports had been tracking terrorists in the region for many days prior to the operation.
The successful elimination of Ganai is a great achievement to help us eradicate the terrorist network in Kashmir Valley.
But the operation isn’t over yet. Security forces believe another terrorist is still in the cordoned area.
Reinforcements have been put in place and aerial surveillance, such as drones, are being used to monitor movement and to prevent any escape attempts.
Residents living close to the encounter site were advised to stay indoors and authorities temporarily restricted movement in the area to ensure civilian safety.
Internet services in some localities will be temporarily closed as a precautionary measure, but officials have not said what will happen.
Shopian has seen several anti-terror operations over the last few years due to active militants in the district.
Security agencies have intensified intelligence-based operations across South Kashmir to curb infiltration and dismantle terror infrastructure.
The killing of Zakir Ganai occurred in the wake of continuous efforts by Indian security forces to keep peace and prevent militant activities in Jammu and Kashmir.
Coordinated operations based on precise intelligence in the region have significantly weakened terrorist groups, officials have said.
Authorities said they would keep the safety of civilians in mind during counter-terrorism operations. Senior officials said the search would continue until the remaining terrorist was captured or neutralized.
What we witnessed there is a reminder that security challenges continue in the area and Indian forces are trying to get rid of terrorism threats.
Details of the operation will be available once the search is over and officials have recovered and identified the victims.
Security agencies have advised citizens not to share unverified information on social media, and to keep in mind what was said by public figures on social media only to keep an eye on official news about the ongoing operation.
