Army Boosts Preparedness Along LoC as Shopian Operation Against LeT Terrorists Continues

New Delhi: Jammu & Kashmir witnessed heightened security on Sunday as the Indian Army conducted coordinated mock drills along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, even as an anti-terror operation against two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists continued in south Kashmir’s Shopian district.

The drills were held at multiple locations along the LoC, including the Mendhar sector, as well as in the hinterland. Personnel from the Rashtriya Rifles and other Army units simulated terrorist-attack scenarios to test operational readiness, evacuation procedures, and coordination among security forces, the civil administration, and residents.

Security has also been tightened in the border towns of Surankote and Mendhar following intelligence inputs pointing to possible infiltration attempts.

Separately, in south Kashmir, security forces resumed their anti-terror operation in Shopian’s Meemandar area after suspending it overnight. Now in its second day, the operation — involving the Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and the CRPF — has seen an intensified cordon thrown around a dense orchard where two terrorists are believed to be hiding. The suspects were first spotted by surveillance cameras in the area on Friday, triggering the operation.

The two have been identified as Zakir Ganie and Latif Bhatt, both residents of Kulgam district. Zakir has reportedly been affiliated with LeT since 2024, while Latif joined the group last year.

The encounter began after the terrorists opened fire on an approaching Army team, resulting in retaliatory fire and eventually triggering a gunfight. Early reports suggested both terrorists had been killed, but subsequent coverage indicated the operation was still ongoing, with security forces working to prevent their escape from the orchard.

Officials told PTI that the Army’s specialised counter-insurgency unit, the Victor Force, has deployed additional personnel to seal off possible escape routes, with surveillance and area-domination measures stepped up to counter the challenges posed by the dense orchard cover.

Security forces have already cleared several nearby villages while maintaining a tight cordon around the remaining search area. The operation carries added significance given Shopian’s role as a key transit route linking south Kashmir with central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region.

Security agencies have described Zakir as an A++ category terrorist wanted in multiple cases; he was declared a proclaimed offender by an NIA court in Kulgam in October 2025.