Two hybrid terrorists affiliated with the proscribed terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) surrendered during a joint operation in the Baskuchan area of Shopian, Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday. The operation was conducted by the Special Operations Group (SOG) Shopian, 44 Rashtriya Rifles, and 178 Battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), based on specific intelligence inputs.
The surrendered individuals have been identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam. Security forces recovered two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds of 7.62x39mm ammunition, two hand grenades, and two pouches from their possession. An FIR has been registered, and investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement in terror-related activities.
This surrender comes amid an intensified crackdown on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir following a recent surge in attacks. On May 16, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Zone VK Birdi reported the neutralisation of six terrorists during separate operations in Kelar, Shopian, and Tral.
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The heightened security operations follow the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, including a Nepali national, were killed. In response, the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. More than 100 terrorists linked to groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen were eliminated during the cross-border strikes.
Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to dismantling the terror network in the region, with coordinated efforts among the Army, police, and paramilitary forces yielding significant results in recent weeks.
