SRINAGAR, JULY 8: A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces during a joint counter-terrorism operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Tuesday.
The operation was launched in the general area of Chanapora in Shopian after specific intelligence inputs were received from the Jammu and Kashmir Police regarding the presence of terrorists in the area.
Acting on the intelligence, a joint search operation was initiated by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).
During the search operation, the terrorists opened fire on the security forces, triggering an exchange of fire. In the ensuing encounter, one LeT terrorist, identified as Zakir Ganai, was neutralised by the security forces.
An Army spokesperson said the operation was launched on the basis of specific intelligence inputs received from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
"During the search operation, an exchange of fire took place between the security forces and terrorists. One Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, identified as Zakir Ganai, was eliminated in the firefight. Arms, ammunition and other war-like stores were recovered from the encounter site," the spokesperson said.
Security forces have cordoned off the area and searches are continuing to ensure that no other terrorists are hiding in the vicinity.
The recovery of weapons and war-like stores is expected to aid further investigations into the terror network operating in south Kashmir.
The successful operation marks another setback to the Lashkar-e-Taiba's activities in the region as security forces continue sustained anti-terror operations across the Kashmir Valley.
