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Two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists were arrested by security forces on Thursday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district. Arms and ammunition were also recovered from their possession.
The arrests took place during a joint operation carried out by the Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles, the Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF’s 178 Battalion in the Baskuchan area of Imam Sahib, Shopian.
During the operation, security forces recovered two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, two hand grenades, and some ammunition. In addition, they seized ₹5,400 in cash and an Aadhaar card.
According to the police, the two LeT terrorists — Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam — surrendered, preventing a possible encounter.
“In a major operational success, a cordon and search operation was launched at Baskuchan… The area was effectively sealed off, and the movement of terrorists was observed in a nearby orchard. Swift and strategic action by the forces led to the successful surrender of two LeT hybrid terrorists,” said a police statement, as quoted by India Today.
Pahalgam terror attack, terrorists still at large
The operation comes as security forces have shifted focus to parts of south Kashmir following the April 22 attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley , which left 26 people dead.
The Pakistan-backed terrorists involved are still at large , believed to be hiding in the dense forests of the meadows. Agencies and forces continue their search.
Earlier this month, six terrorists were killed in two separate encounters — three in the Keller area of Shopian and three in the Nadar area of Tral in Pulwama.
This is a developing story.