Shopian anti-terror operation enters Day 3 to flush out two LeT militants
Synopsis
A three-day joint Army-Police-CRPF operation in Shopian's orchard belt has cornered two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants — Latif and Zakir — who opened fire on security forces and remain at large inside a dense fruit orchard. With the Victor Force sealing escape routes and four of seven villages already cleared, the operation is at a critical juncture.
Key Takeaways
A joint Army-J&K Police-CRPF operation to trace two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants entered its third day on Monday, 7 July in Shopian district .
The two militants, Latif and Zakir , are residents of Kulgam district and were first spotted on Friday via surveillance cameras in the Meemandar area .
Zakir reportedly joined LeT in 2024 ; Latif is said to have joined last year.
The Army's Victor Force has deployed additional personnel to seal escape routes through dense orchard foliage.
Four of seven villages in the cordon zone had been cleared by Sunday evening ; the militants opened fire on security forces.
Shopian is a known transit corridor for LeT and The Resistance Front (TRF) between south Kashmir and the Pir Panjal range.
A joint security operation to track down two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants entered its third consecutive day on Monday, 7 July in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, with forces resuming searches at first light after a nightlong pause. The two militants, identified as Latif and Zakir, were first spotted by surveillance cameras on Friday in the orchard belt of the Meemandar area, which encompasses seven villages.
How the Operation Unfolded
The operation was launched on Saturday after intelligence indicated the two LeT operatives were concealed within fruit orchards in Saidpora village. A joint cordon comprising multiple columns of the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was swiftly established around the area. By Sunday evening, security forces had cleared four of the seven villages within the cordon.
The militants opened fire on approaching Army personnel, who retaliated effectively, triggering an exchange of fire. No casualty figures were immediately available from official sources.
Victor Force Deploys Additional Personnel
The Army's specialised counter-insurgency unit, the Victor Force, has deployed additional troops to seal all potential escape routes through the dense orchard foliage. Officials noted that lighting arrangements have also been put in place to reduce the cover of darkness. According to security officials, the thick summer canopy of the orchards significantly complicates aerial and ground surveillance, allowing trapped militants to exploit blind spots and attempt cordon breaks — a pattern documented in previous operations in the region.
Who Are the Two Militants
According to security records, both militants are residents of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Zakir reportedly joined the Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2024, while Latif is said to have been recruited into the outfit last year. Both are described as local operatives, a category that security agencies say has grown in operational significance as cross-border infiltration has faced tighter checks.
Why Shopian Remains a Flashpoint
Shopian district has long served as a strategic corridor for militant organisations including LeT and its shadow outfit, The Resistance Front (TRF), connecting south Kashmir to the Pir Panjal range. The district's dense apple orchards and rugged terrain have historically provided natural cover for militants evading cordons and staging attacks. Over the years, terror incidents in Shopian have targeted minority communities, migrant labourers, and security personnel alike.
The Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF maintain a sustained counter-terror presence in the district, anchored by the Victor Force, to systematically dismantle militant networks. This is the latest in a series of prolonged cordon-and-search operations in the area in recent months.
What Comes Next
Security forces are expected to continue the operation until the militants are either neutralised or apprehended. The outcome of the ongoing gunfight and the status of the cordon are being closely monitored by the security establishment. Any escalation or breakthrough is likely to draw immediate response from higher command.
Point of View
Rather than cross-border infiltrators, points to a persistent radicalisation pipeline in south Kashmir that security operations alone cannot fully address. Shopian's role as a strategic corridor has been documented for years, yet it remains operationally active — raising questions about whether cordon-and-search operations, however well-executed, are sufficient without parallel de-radicalisation and intelligence-led pre-emption. The deployment of the Victor Force signals that the Army is treating this as a high-stakes containment, not a routine patrol.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Shopian anti-terror operation about?
Security forces launched a joint operation on Saturday in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir to trace two Lashkar-e-Taiba militants, Latif and Zakir, who were spotted hiding in fruit orchards in Saidpora village. The operation entered its third day on Monday, 7 July, with the militants still at large inside the cordon.
Who are the militants Latif and Zakir?
Latif and Zakir are local Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives and residents of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. According to security records, Zakir reportedly joined LeT in 2024, while Latif is said to have been recruited last year.
Which security forces are involved in the Shopian operation?
The operation involves a joint team of the Indian Army — including its specialised counter-insurgency unit, the Victor Force — the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Multiple columns have been deployed to maintain a tight cordon around the Meemandar area.
Why is Shopian district significant for counter-terror operations?
Shopian serves as a strategic transit corridor for militant groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front (TRF), connecting south Kashmir to the Pir Panjal range. Its dense apple orchards and rough terrain have historically provided natural cover for militants evading security forces.
What has happened so far in the operation?
By Sunday evening, security forces had cleared four of the seven villages within the cordon. The militants opened fire on approaching Army personnel, who retaliated, triggering a gunfight. The Victor Force has deployed additional troops and lighting to seal escape routes through the thick orchard foliage.
