Encounter in J&K's Shopian; 2 LeT militants killed

Two militants of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in an encounter with the security forces at Alshipora in Shopian, south Kashmir,  on Tuesday.

Police said the encounter broke out after security forces launched a search operation following a tip-off regarding the presence of ultras in the district's Alshipora area.

Kashmir police in a post on X said, "#Shpioan encounter update: Two 02) terrorists killed. Search going on. Further details shall follow." AGP Vijay Kumar identified the slain militants as Morifat Maqbool and Jazim Farooq.

Police later identified one of the slain Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) ultras was involved in the killing of bank guard Sanjay Sharma earlier this year.  "#Shopian encounter update: killed terrorists have been identified as Morifat Maqbool & Jazim Farooq @ Abrar #terror outfit LeT#Terrorist Abrar was involved in the killing of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma."

South Kashmir has witnessed several encounters in recent times. On September 13, two army officers, one police officer and a soldier were killed in an operation against the militants at Gadole, Kokernag in Anantnag. The operation lasted seven days and was concluded after the killing of two militants, including Uzair Khan of Kokernag of LeT. Another slain militant was identified as a foreigner.

The operation was one of the largest in a decade in Kashmir and the Army used heavy weaponry, including drones to target the militants in the dense forests.