A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militant was killed in an encounter with security forces on Tuesday in the Zinpather Keller area of Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir. Two more suspected militants are believed to be trapped as the joint operation continues.
Security personnel launched a cordon and search operation in the area early in the day after receiving intelligence inputs about militant presence. As forces approached a suspected hideout, they came under fire, triggering a gunbattle.
One militant, confirmed to be affiliated with LeT, was killed in the exchange. His identity is yet to be disclosed. Security officials stated that two more militants are likely hiding in the vicinity and intermittent firing is ongoing.
The encounter is part of a broader crackdown following the recent release of “Terror Free Kashmir” posters by security agencies. The posters included images of three Pakistan-backed militants — Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Musa — suspected to have orchestrated the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
Authorities have offered a ₹20 lakh reward for information leading to the arrest of the trio. In a related development, Thoker’s house in Bijbehara was destroyed with explosives by security forces on April 25. He is accused of aiding the infiltration of Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam incident.
Officials have confirmed that the Shopian operation remains active and that additional security forces have been deployed to ensure no escape routes are available. Investigations into the identities of the remaining suspects are ongoing.
The encounter highlights the region’s continuing volatility and the intensified security operations aimed at neutralizing militant threats.
