Two local terrorists affiliated with the blacklisted terrorist group Lashkar-E-Taiba were killed by security forces on Tuesday during an encounter in Shopian, marking a significant victory. The Kashmir Police claim that Abrar, one of the two terrorists killed, was responsible for the murder of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma.

Following "specific" information that were present in the Shopian village of Alshipora, security forces conducted a cordon-and-search operation (CASO), which led to the outbreak of the gunfight. According to accounts, two local terrorists associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba were killed in the nightlong anti-terror operation.

Terrorists identified

Morifat Maqbool and Jazim Farooq Abrar were identified as belonging to the LeT by Additional Director General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar. He continued that Abrar was involved in the murder of late Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma.

Terrorists

Sanjay was killed earlier this year on February 23 in front of his home in the Pulwama town of Achan, where he was employed as an ATM security guard by the village branch of Jammu and Kashmir Bank. He was shot at while on his way to a local market. He was shifted to a nearby hospital for further treatment where he succumbed to his injuries.

In the past month, South Kashmir has seen three anti-terror operations, during which six terrorists have been killed. 54 terrorists, predominantly foreigners, have been killed by security forces so far this year.

On October 4, two Hizbul Mujahideen militants were killed by security forces during an encounter in the Kulgam area of Jammu & Kashmir. The two terrorists, Saqib Ahmad Lone of Hawoora, Kulgam, and Basit Amin Bhat of Frisal, were both known for their involvement in a number of terrorist-related actions.

The J&K police reported that, , "Encounter has started at Alshipora area of Shopian. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow." 

A report from ANI dated September 28 states that 31 terrorists in total had been killed in joint operations this year alone. The Army, Police, SSB, BSF, and CPRF worked together in this endeavour, with each organisation contributing significantly to preserving security in different parts of Jammu & Kashmir.

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