Top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander Zakir Ahmad Ganai was killed during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, marking another significant success for security forces in their ongoing crackdown on terrorism in the Valley. Ganai, who was among the 14 most-wanted local terrorists identified after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, was found dead on Wednesday after security personnel recovered his body from the encounter site. The operation, launched on Saturday, entered its fifth consecutive day as forces continued extensive search operations across the region. Officials said the mission involved the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), with multiple elite units participating to eliminate remaining militants and dismantle terror infrastructure in south Kashmir.

Five-Day Operation Ends in Major Success

The anti-terror operation began in the Chanapora area of Shopian after intelligence agencies received credible inputs about the presence of heavily armed terrorists hiding in the region. Security forces launched a coordinated search involving the Army's Rashtriya Rifles, Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF personnel.

Although two terrorists were neutralised during the initial phase of the operation on Saturday, Ganai's body was recovered only after an extensive search conducted over several days. Dense orchards and difficult terrain reportedly slowed the recovery process, prompting security forces to deploy additional personnel and surveillance measures.

The Army's Victor Force sealed all possible escape routes, while lighting arrangements were installed to facilitate night operations. Search teams continued combing nearby villages and forested areas to ensure no militants managed to flee.

Linked to Multiple Terror Activities

According to security officials, Zakir Ahmad Ganai hailed from Matlahama village in Kulgam district and had been active in south Kashmir and the Pir Panjal region since 2023. Intelligence agencies believe he played an active role in coordinating Pakistan-backed terror activities in the Valley.

His name surfaced prominently during investigations into the April 2026 Pahalgam terror attack, following which central agencies released a list of 14 local terrorists allegedly associated with Pakistan-based terror organisations. Authorities had also demolished the houses of several identified militants as part of the intensified crackdown.

Officials said Ganai had been associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba since 2024 and was considered a key operative within the outfit's local network.

Nine Terrorists Eliminated So Far

With Ganai's elimination, security agencies have neutralised nine of the 14 terrorists identified after the Pahalgam attack. Five militants from the list remain at large and continue to be the focus of intelligence-based operations across south Kashmir.

The government's anti-terror campaign has intensified over the past year through a series of coordinated operations, including Operation Sindoor, Operation Keller, Operation Mahadev, Operation Akhal, Operation Gudder and the ongoing Operation Sherowali. These missions have targeted terrorist hideouts, overground worker networks and infiltration routes across the Union Territory.

Officials maintain that counter-terror operations will continue until the remaining wanted terrorists are tracked down and eliminated.