Encounter in Jammu and Kashmir, Army kills top terrorist, aide

SRINAGAR: Security forces killed two terrorists in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian. The dead have been identified as Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist Zakir Ahmed Ghani and his aide Latif Bhat.

The encounter began at around 8 pm last night in Chanpera village. The security forces were conducting a search operation after receiving information about the presence of terrorists in the area. The army retaliated strongly and both were killed. Weapons were also recovered from them.

The presence of Ghani in the area had been identified by the investigating officers through CCTV footage. The operation was jointly conducted by the Army's 44, 20 and 34 Rashtriya Rifles units, 3 Para and the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Checkpointing and security have been tightened in the area.

The security forces have said that Zakir Ghani is involved in the Pahalgam terror attack. The NIA court had issued a notice against him in 2025. Ghani is a resident of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. The force has classified him as an A++ category terrorist. The force also received clear information that he is involved in attacks and killings on security personnel in the valley. Subsequently, the move against him was intensified.