Lashkar terrorist shot dead in joint operation by security forces in Shopian: 'You can run but you can't hide'

A Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed on Wednesday during a fierce joint counter-terrorism operation led by the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Shopian, the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district.

Gunfight in Chanapora area

Police sources quoted by ANI said the encounter broke out in Chanapora area of Shopian after security forces responded to shots fired during a tactical search. After a short firefight, a body was found near the site of the encounter. Security forces observed an assortment of weapons and ammunition near the body from a distance.

Jammu and Kashmir Police officially confirmed the killing of the militant on social media. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), J&K Police said:

“You can run but you can’t hide! One Lashkar terrorist was neutralized by SOG Shopian in a joint operation along with RR and CRPF.”

While authorities are currently verifying the identity of the deceased LeT operative, security forces are maintaining a tight cordon and heavy presence in the Chanapora belt as search operations continue. Further details are awaited.

Operation Sheruwali’ in Rajouri

The breakthrough in Shopian follows a series of sustained, aggressive counter-terrorism operations by security forces across the region.

Simultaneously, a massive combing mission called “Operation Sheruwali” is going on in Rajouri district. Launched in late May, this large-scale multi-agency operation targets the rugged, forested terrain of Dorimalu in the Gambhir Mughlan area, located in the Manjakote sector.

Security forces are using advanced surveillance equipment along with coordinated ground movements to track down and neutralize armed infiltrators believed to be hiding in the dense mountain forest belt.