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Security forces have apprehended two “hybrid militants” affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in the Baskuchan area of Poonch district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials aware of the development reported on Thursday.

 

Describing the development as a “major operational success,” security officials said the operation was conducted on Wednesday night following specific intelligence inputs.

 

The term “hybrid militants” refers to individuals who are not formally listed as militants but have been radicalised sufficiently to carry out terror strikes and then blend back into civilian life.

 

According to officials, the security forces launched a cordon and search operation (CASO) in the area. “The area was effectively cordoned 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, averting a potential encounter,” they added.

 

The apprehended militants were identified as Irfan Bashir and Uzair Salam.

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Recovered from their possession during the raid were two AK-56 rifles, four magazines, 102 rounds of ammunition, two hand grenades, two pouches, cash amounting to ₹5,400, a mobile phone, a smartwatch, and an Aadhaar card. It was conducted jointly by the Army’s 44 Rashtriya Rifles, police, and 178 CRPF personnel.

 

A case has been registered, and investigations are currently underway, the officials said.

 

The operation came as security forces intensified their anti-terror efforts in specific areas of south Kashmir following the deadly attack in Pahalgam’s Baisaran valley on 22 April, which claimed 26 lives.

 

Earlier this month, six terrorists were killed in two separate encounters in the Keller area of Shopian and the Nadar area of Tral in Pulwama, with three militants neutralised in each operation.

 

Among the deceased was Shahid Kuttay, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander, who was implicated in the attack on a sarpanch in Heerpora, Shopian, and the April 8, 2024 firing incident at Danish Resort that injured two German tourists.