A suspected Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist was killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Shopian district, bringing an end to a multi-day search operation that had been underway since the militants were first spotted in the area.

According to officials, the body of the suspected terrorist was recovered from the Saidpora area of South Kashmir. Arms and ammunition were also seized from the encounter site following the operation.

The operation began after surveillance cameras reportedly captured two suspected terrorists moving through a dense orchard in the Chhanapora area of Saidpora several days ago. Based on the footage and subsequent intelligence inputs, security forces launched a cordon and search operation to track down the suspects.

Officials said the search was initiated following information about the presence of suspected Lashkar commander Zakir Ganai and his associate, Latief Bhat. Security agencies are still working to formally establish the identity of the militant killed in the encounter.

Joint operation by police, Army and CRPF

The anti-terror operation was carried out jointly by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

As security personnel closed in on the suspected militants, an exchange of fire reportedly took place. To prevent any escape, forces sealed all possible exit routes through the orchard. The Army’s specialised counter-insurgency formation, Victor Force, also illuminated the area during the night to improve visibility and tighten the security cordon.

Following the operation, the Jammu and Kashmir Police shared a message on social media stating, “You can run, but you cannot hide,” confirming the success of the mission.

Authorities have not yet announced whether the second suspected militant has been apprehended or remains at large. Search operations in the area are expected to continue.

The Centre has stepped up its focus on road safety along the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway as Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari undertakes a road inspection of the corridor just days after a fatal accident in Rajasthan’s Dausa district left eight people dead and 28 others injured.

According to officials of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the minister is travelling by road from Delhi towards Kota and Ratlam via the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. During the journey, he is expected to inspect various stretches of the highway and review ongoing infrastructure projects.

Inspection to cover safety, maintenance and construction

Officials said Gadkari is likely to pass through Dausa at around 2 pm and may visit the location where the July 1 accident occurred.

The inspection is expected to include a review of road maintenance, safety infrastructure, ongoing construction work and facilities at the Dara Tunnel in the Mukundara Hills near Kota. The visit will also cover sections of the expressway located in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Preparations have been intensified ahead of the minister’s visit, with NHAI and other departments reviewing safety arrangements and facilities along the route.

After crossing Dausa, Gadkari is scheduled to reach the Mukundra Tunnel project near Kota around 5:30 pm, where he will assess construction progress and hold a review meeting with officials.

Deadly July 1 accident renewed focus on highway safety

The minister’s visit comes after a devastating accident on July 1 involving a bus travelling from Haridwar to Indore.

The bus reportedly collided with the rear of a trailer truck near Dhanawda village at Zero Point under Kolwa Police Station in Rajasthan’s Dausa district before plunging into a roadside gorge and catching fire. Eight people lost their lives while 28 others sustained serious injuries.

Data from authorities shows that the Dausa stretch of the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway has witnessed a significant number of fatal accidents. In 2025, 33 road accidents claimed 35 lives, while 24 accidents recorded till the end of June 2026 resulted in 26 deaths.

Preliminary findings point to signage issues

Initial findings indicate that inadequate road signage may have contributed to the July 1 crash.

Officials believe the trailer truck involved in the accident was supposed to exit towards the Jaipur-Ajmer route but missed the turn at Zero Point because the exit was not clearly marked. After slowing down, it was struck from behind by the bus.

Sources familiar with the matter said drivers approaching from Delhi frequently face confusion while taking the Jaipur 4C Link Expressway due to the absence of clear directional arrows or signboards at Zero Point. Although signboards are placed around two kilometres before the exit, the arrows are reportedly too small to be easily noticed at highway speeds.

Authorities have also identified similar concerns at other locations on the expressway, including insufficient directional guidance for motorists travelling towards Jaipur via Dausa or Kanota.

Committee examining safety shortcomings

Following the accident, the Dausa district administration constituted an inquiry committee to examine safety issues along the affected stretch of the expressway.

On the directions of District Collector Soumya Jha, the District Road Safety Task Force conducted a review of road safety measures.

Committee member Vishnu Sharma said an eight-member inquiry panel headed by the Additional District Collector will inspect Packages 6, 7 and 8 between chainage 150 km and 240 km on July 8 and 9.

The preliminary inspection reportedly found several shortcomings, including non-functional SOS phones, unclear direction signs, and deficiencies in monitoring speeding vehicles and enforcing speed limits. The committee also observed that inadequate signboards at Zero Point could be increasing the risk of accidents.

Meanwhile, temporary encroachments along the expressway between Alwar and Dausa have been removed as part of safety measures. Officials have said the exact cause of the July 1 accident will be determined after the investigation is completed.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has rejected concerns surrounding the government’s E20 petrol programme, describing the controversy as a result of “misreporting and misinterpretation”. The minister said automobile manufacturers have not raised concerns over the use of E20 fuel and questioned why the issue has resurfaced after the blended fuel has already been in use across the country for more than a year.

The government has been expanding ethanol blending in petrol as part of its broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported crude oil, lower carbon emissions and support India’s agricultural sector. E20 petrol contains 20 per cent ethanol and has been rolled out after compatibility assessments involving vehicle manufacturers and research institutions.

Puri rejects claims over E20 fuel

Responding to criticism circulating on social media, Puri said there is no evidence to support claims that E20 petrol damages vehicle engines or creates operational problems. He noted that millions of vehicles are already running on the fuel without widespread issues being reported.

According to the minister, nearly 20 crore two-wheelers and around 20 lakh four-wheelers are using E20 fuel. He added that vehicle manufacturers as well as service professionals have consistently indicated that they have not experienced any significant difficulties with the ethanol blend.

Questioning the timing of the debate, Puri said the fuel has already been available for a considerable period, making the sudden wave of criticism difficult to understand.

Government says E20 has been in use for over a year

The minister highlighted that India had already been using E15 fuel for more than three years before transitioning to E20. He said E20 petrol has been available nationwide since April 2025, meaning it has already completed more than a year of public use.

Puri also clarified that while discussions around higher ethanol blends such as E25 continue, the government has not announced any immediate rollout. He said testing is currently underway, and any future decision will be based on scientific evaluation and consultations with stakeholders, including automobile manufacturers.

Government says future ethanol blends will undergo testing

Addressing speculation about higher ethanol blends, Puri said the government is taking a cautious approach before introducing E25 petrol. He stressed that ongoing tests will be completed first, after which the findings will be reviewed before any policy decision is taken.

The minister said discussions with automobile manufacturers and other stakeholders would be an important part of the process before moving ahead with any higher ethanol blend.

“I neither make the cars nor the fuel. The car manufacturers are comfortable with the E20 fuel. Each one of them has made a statement,” Puri said, reiterating that vehicle makers have already expressed confidence in the current fuel blend.

He also noted that the rollout of E85 fuel would take additional time as it would require supporting infrastructure, including suitable fuel dispensing facilities at petrol pumps.

Government continues to promote ethanol blending

The Centre has identified ethanol blending as a key component of its energy transition strategy. Besides reducing India’s dependence on imported crude oil, the programme is intended to cut vehicular emissions and create additional demand for agricultural produce used in ethanol production.

The government has gradually increased ethanol blending targets over the past few years while working with automobile manufacturers and research agencies to ensure vehicle compatibility with higher ethanol blends.

Puri had earlier stated that the government welcomes constructive criticism of its policies but would not accept what he described as rumours regarding biofuel blending. His latest remarks come amid renewed social media discussions claiming that E20 fuel reduces vehicle mileage or causes engine-related issues.

Reiterating the government’s position, the minister said existing data and feedback from manufacturers do not indicate widespread problems with E20 petrol, adding that any future decisions on higher ethanol blends would continue to be based on testing, scientific assessment and stakeholder consultations.