2 Soldiers Killed in J&K’s Kulgam as Gunfight Enters 9th Day, Toll Rises in Longest Anti-Terror Op
Two soldiers were killed in a fierce gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district as ‘Operation Akhal’, one of the longest-running anti-terror operations in the valley, entered its ninth day on Saturday. The overnight firing also left two other security personnel injured, bringing the total number of injured in the protracted encounter to ten.
The fallen soldiers were identified as Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh. In a solemn tribute, the army’s Chinar Corps tweeted, “Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts… Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us.” The Indian Army expressed its deepest condolences and solidarity with the bereaved families.
The intense operation began on August 1 after security forces received specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the dense forest area of Akhal. So far, more than five terrorists have been killed, but security sources believe at least three more are still holed up in the challenging terrain, using natural cave-like hideouts for cover. The militants, believed to be from the Lashkar-e-Taiba, are heavily armed with night-vision devices and long-range rifles.
The difficult topography, marked by thick foliage and caves, has made the operation arduous. Security forces have deployed a multi-pronged strategy, using drones, helicopters, and elite Para commandos to track and neutralize the hiding militants.
The area has been rocked by relentless gunfire and explosions day and night as the forces maintain a tight cordon. The constant violence has forced residents of Akhal village to evacuate to safer locations, with many, especially women and children, left traumatized. Authorities have appointed nodal officers to assist the locals during the emergency.
This intensified anti-terror push in the region follows the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attacks on April 22, where Pakistan-based terrorists killed 26 civilians, most of whom were tourists.
