Only 1 active local terrorist left in J&K; hunt on for Mohammed Lateef Bhat

According to security agencies, only one active local terrorist remains in Jammu and Kashmir: Mohammed Lateef Bhat, a Kulgam resident.

Bhat is suspected of killing two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh and shooting a head constable on July 22; he also planned to target the Amarnath Yatra.

Bhat escaped during a joint Army, J&K Police, and CRPF operation on July 8 in Anantnag district, in which Zakir Ahmed Ganei, a Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, was killed.

Security records show a sharp decline in local terrorists: from 50-60 estimated five years ago to 17 in May 2025, and now just one.

The drop is attributed to crackdowns by security forces and NIA probes curbing terror financing and narco-terrorism.