Shopian: A cordon and search operation is underway in the Saidpora area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district after gunshots were heard during an anti-terror operation in the Saidpora area late July 4, Saturday night. According to officials, gunshots were heard during the ongoing cordon and search operation in Saidpora. Following the incident, more security personnel were rushed to the area to strengthen the operation. The Operation has entered day two on July 5, Sunday and as per the reports, two terrorists are said to be trapped inside a house in the Shopian district.
#BREAKING: Encounter underway since last three hours between terrorists and Security Forces in the Chanpora area near Saidpora Pyeen, Shopian, Kashmir. Indian Army, J&K Police have trapped terrorists Zakir Ganai and Latif Bhatt. Gunfight underway. https://t.co/InxpsWXseg
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 4, 2026
The operation is being carried out jointly by units of the Indian Army, including 44 Rashtriya Rifles, 20 Rashtriya Rifles, 34 Rashtriya Rifles and 55 Rashtriya Rifles, along with 14 Central Reserve Police Force’s (CRPF) and 178 Battalions and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The security forces launched a joint operation based on the intelligence inputs about the terror movements in the region. Security forces have maintained a strong presence in the area as search operations continue. The operations come amid sustained counter-terror efforts by security forces across Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, on July 1, ‘Operation Sheruwali’ entered its 40th day, with security forces continuing an extensive search operation in the forested areas of Dorimal in the Gambhir Mughlan area of the Manjakote sector in Rajouri district.
The operation is aimed at tracking down terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forest terrain. Security forces have continued search and surveillance operations with the support of advanced equipment and coordinated ground operations. ‘Operation Sheruwali’, launched in late May, is a large-scale counter-terrorism combing mission in the dense forest belts of the Dorimal-Gambhir Mughlan sector.
The multi-agency operation seeks to locate and neutralise armed infiltrators believed to be holed up in the region’s rugged mountainous terrain. Officials have stated that the operation will continue until its objectives are fully achieved. The prolonged operation underscores the determination of the security forces to maintain peace and security in the border district of Rajouri.
A Lashkar terrorist said to be trapped
As per the sources, a terrorist affiliated to Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba(LeT) is trapped during the operation. As per various media sources, another trapped terrorist is identified as Latif Bhatt. However, the government or official sources have not yet confirmed about the identity of the terrorists.
Earlier, on June 16, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and three Army personnel were injured in an accidental mine blast during a routine patrol near the Line of Control (LoC) in the forward Kalal area of the Nowshera sector. Officials had said the operation in the area would continue until it was thoroughly sanitised and all objectives were achieved.
(With Inputs from ANI)
