Two Lashkar Terrorists Arrested in J&K’s Shopian; Arms and Grenades Recovered
In a major breakthrough in counter-terror operations, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were apprehended by security forces in the Baskuchan area of Shopian district on Tuesday morning. The operation, launched jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF, also led to the recovery of arms, grenades, and ammunition.
According to police officials, the two LeT operatives—identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam—surrendered during a search and cordon operation, avoiding a potential gunfight.
The joint operation was carried out by the Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police, and 178 Battalion of the CRPF in Shopian’s Baskuchan Imamsahib area.
Security forces had launched a cordon and search operation after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area. “Movement of terrorists was observed in a nearby orchard. Swift and strategic action by the forces led to the successful surrender of two LeT hybrid terrorists,” the official statement said.
Two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, two grenades, and several rounds of live ammunition were seized. Authorities also recovered cash worth ₹5,400 and an Aadhaar card from the duo.
The operation comes amid intensified security surveillance following the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran Valley, where 26 people were killed. The Shopian arrests are part of a wider crackdown in South Kashmir.
Earlier this month, six terrorists were neutralized in two encounters—one in Keller, Shopian and another in Nadar, Tral (Pulwama). Among those killed was Shahid Kuttay, a top Lashkar commander involved in high-profile attacks, including the assault on a sarpanch in Heerpora and the April 8 firing at Danish Resort, which left two German tourists injured.
A senior police official described the surrender as “a significant success in ongoing efforts to prevent violence and promote surrenders rather than bloodshed.”
Security analysts believe this trend of surrender reflects increasing pressure on terror networks and operational setbacks to LeT in the region.
Residents in the area praised the security forces for averting violence. “It’s a relief that no firing occurred and lives were saved,” said a local who witnessed the operation.
The term “hybrid terrorists” refers to individuals who are not formally listed as terrorists but are involved in supporting or executing attacks. Authorities believe such individuals are harder to track and represent a growing challenge in counter-insurgency efforts.
In recent months, Shopian and other parts of South Kashmir have witnessed targeted operations aimed at dismantling terror networks, particularly those linked to LeT and TRF (The Resistance Front).
