Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir — The Indian Army, in coordination with other security forces, has confirmed the killing of one terrorist during an ongoing encounter in the forest area of Akhal, Kulgam district. The operation, codenamed Operation Akhal, began late Friday after intelligence inputs indicated the presence of armed militants in the area.
According to the Chinar Corps of the Indian Army, the incident began when a cordon-and-search operation was launched in Akhal’s dense forest zone following specific intelligence received from local and national security networks. During the search, militants opened fire, triggering a fierce gunfight that continued through the night.
Army Statement on the Encounter
The Chinar Corps, in an official statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), confirmed:
“Intermittent and intense fire fight continued through the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire and tightened the nooze while maintaining contact. One terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces so far. Operation (Akhal) continues.”
The security cordon remains in place as the Army, assisted by Jammu and Kashmir Police and paramilitary forces, is conducting a meticulous search to ensure no other militants are hiding in the area.
Connection to Recent Counter-Terrorism Actions
This operation comes just days after a major success under Operation Mahadev, where three militants — including the alleged mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack — were killed in Mulnar, Harwan, near Dachigam National Park on July 28.
The terrorist neutralised in that operation, identified as Sulieman alias Asif, was accused of orchestrating the Pahalgam massacre that claimed the lives of 26 people, mostly tourists, at Baisaran meadows. Two of his associates, Jibran (involved in the Sonamarg Tunnel attack) and Hamza Afghani, were also eliminated.
The Pahalgam incident prompted the armed forces to launch Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting cross-border terror infrastructure based in Pakistan. According to security officials, these coordinated operations aim to dismantle the network of terror cells operating within and across the Line of Control (LoC).
Pattern of Infiltration Attempts
The ongoing violence in the region has been fuelled by frequent infiltration attempts from across the LoC. Just a day before Operation Akhal began, two armed terrorists were intercepted and killed near the LoC in Poonch.
Police reports confirmed that the duo had crossed over from Pakistan and were confronted shortly after entering Indian territory. Weapons and other war-like stores were recovered from their possession, adding to evidence of continued cross-border infiltration.
Security Forces’ Multi-Layered Strategy
Sources within the Army have indicated that Operation Akhal is part of a larger counter-terrorism strategy aimed at:
- Neutralising active militants in South Kashmir.
- Blocking infiltration routes across the LoC.
- Targeting leadership figures within terror organisations to disrupt their operational capabilities.
Evidence collected from past encounters, including weapons with Pakistani markings, GPS devices, and encrypted communication systems, has been crucial in mapping militant movement and planning precision strikes.
Ground Realities in Akhal
Akhal’s rugged forest terrain makes it a challenging area for security operations. Dense cover provides militants with hiding spots and tactical advantages, necessitating close coordination between ground forces and aerial surveillance units.
Local residents have been advised to stay indoors while the operation continues. The Army’s 24×7 monitoring and night-vision capabilities have been instrumental in preventing militants from escaping during nighttime hours.
Impact on Regional Security
The elimination of terrorists in back-to-back operations is expected to reduce immediate threats in the region, but officials caution that terror networks remain active.
Security experts note that the current surge in encounters in Kulgam, Poonch, and Srinagar outskirts shows a shift in militant strategy — moving from urban hideouts to forest belts to evade detection.
The Army has reiterated its commitment to eliminating terrorism from Jammu & Kashmir, stating that such operations will continue until the region is fully secure.
Official Confirmation & Public Support
The Union Ministry of Defence has yet to release a detailed statement, but the Army’s confirmation on social media has been widely circulated. Support for the troops has poured in from various quarters, with citizens praising the courage of personnel engaged in these high-risk missions. Local police officials have assured that post-operation sanitisation will be carried out to ensure civilian safety and prevent the planting of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area.
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📄 This content was originally published on ndtv.com on 2025-08-02. Read the original article here: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/terrorist-killed-in-encounter-in-j-k-army-says-operation-akhal-underway-9004242