Two Lashkar terrorists killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian

In a big win for security forces in its counter-terrorism operation, two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district on Tuesday. One of the slain terrorists was involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma.

Counter-terrorism operation in Shopian

Acting on the specific input about the presence of two terrorists in Shopian’s Alshipora area, a joint team of security forces, including Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army, launched a combing operation. As soon as the terrorists noticed the movement of security forces, they launched an offensive. In retaliation, security forces neutralised two terrorists.

Lashkar terrorists killed

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, the slain terrorists were identified as Morifat Maqbool and Jazim Farooq alias Abrar of the proscribed terror outfit LeT. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the possession of slain terrorists. Abrar, one of the dreaded terrorists active in the Valley for quite some time, had killed Sharma.

#ShopianEncounterUpdate: Killed #terrorists have been identified as Morifat Maqbool & Jazim Farooq @ Abrar of #terror outfit LeT. #Terrorist Abrar was involved in killing of Kashmiri Pandit late Sanjay Sharma: ADGP Kashmir@JmuKmrPolice https://t.co/Jj0Bxb49dG

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) October 10, 2023

Kashmiri Pandit’s killing

Sharma was shot dead outside his house in Pulawama’s Achan area in February this year. Sharma, who worked as an ATM guard at J&K Bank, was the sole earner in his family. Jammu and Kashmir’s State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted multiple raids in three districts of Kashmir last month.

How many terrorists killed in J&K this year?

According to Jammu and Kashmir Police, as many as 31 terrorists were neutralised in joint operations, carried out by the Indian Army, police, SSB, Border Security Force (BSF), and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), this year. Also, more than 200 terrorists were arrested in the Valley between January 1 and September 26, 2023. Last year, a total of 187 terrorists were killed.

Number of terrorists active in J&K

As per the official data, 111 terrorists, including 40 locals and more than 71 foreign ultras, are currently active in Jammu and Kashmir.