A top commander of the Pakistan-based militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on Thursday, bringing to an end a five-day manhunt launched after intelligence agencies tracked his movements in the region.
According to officials, the operation was carried out jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Acting on specific intelligence inputs, security personnel launched a search operation in the forested area of Shopian, where the militant was believed to be hiding. As the forces closed in, the militant allegedly opened fire, triggering a gun battle that lasted for several hours.
Security agencies later confirmed that the slain militant was a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander who had been active in south Kashmir for several years. Officials said he was wanted in connection with multiple militant attacks and was considered one of the most wanted operatives in the region. His identity was verified after the encounter, and arms, ammunition and other incriminating materials were recovered from the site.
The operation followed an extensive five-day search involving drones, surveillance equipment and specialised teams deployed across dense forests and nearby villages. Security forces had intensified the search after receiving intelligence about the commander's presence in the area. Officials said the coordinated effort helped prevent the militant from escaping despite difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions.
Following the encounter, the area was cordoned off for further searches to ensure no other militants were hiding nearby. Bomb disposal squads and forensic experts were also deployed to examine the site, while additional reinforcements were stationed in the region as a precautionary measure.
Senior police officers described the operation as a significant success in the ongoing campaign against militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. They said eliminating a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander would weaken the group's operational network in south Kashmir. However, officials also stressed that security operations would continue to prevent any attempts by militant groups to regroup.
The encounter comes amid heightened security across the Kashmir Valley, where forces have stepped up intelligence-based operations to counter militant activity. Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel during search operations.
Investigations are continuing to determine the militant's network of associates and any logistical support he may have received. Security agencies said the recovered weapons and electronic devices would be examined for further intelligence, while vigilance across the region has been increased to prevent any retaliatory attacks.
