Escape routes sealed, more troops in J&K: Army's hunt for 2 LeT terrorists enters Day 2

NEW DELHI: An anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district entered its second day on Sunday, with security forces tightening the cordon around a dense orchard and deploying additional personnel to block all possible escape routes for two suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists.The operation, launched on Saturday in the Meemandar area following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of militants, continued overnight as the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the Central Reserve Police Force maintained a multi-layered cordon.Officials said the Army's specialised counter-insurgency unit, Victor Force, has deployed additional troops and illuminated the orchard to prevent the two trapped terrorists from escaping under the cover of darkness or dense foliage, reported PTI.The suspects, identified as Latif and Zakir, are local residents of Kulgam district and are believed to be affiliated with the banned LeT. According to officials, Zakir joined the outfit in 2024, while Latif became associated with the group last year.The duo was first spotted through surveillance cameras in the orchard on Friday. When security forces closed in on their location, the terrorists allegedly opened fire, triggering a gunfight. No casualties have been reported so far.Officials said the dense summer foliage in the orchard has complicated surveillance, offering natural cover that militants often exploit to slip through security cordons. Additional deployments have therefore been made to seal potential escape routes as search operations continue.Shopian has historically served as a key transit corridor linking south Kashmir with central Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region.Get the latest India news and live updates. Download the TOI App.