Kulgam Gunfight: Two Militants Eliminated, One Hurt as Operation Akhal Continues

Operation Akhal: Four Terrorists Killed, One Injured as Gunbattle in Kulgam Enters Day 3.

The anti-terror operation launched in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district has entered its third day, with fierce exchanges of fire continuing between security forces and militants holed up in the Akhal forest area. Four terrorists have been killed so far in the ongoing gunfight, while one has been injured. A soldier has also sustained injuries during the operation, according to officials. Security agencies suspect that four to five terrorists were present in the area when the firefight began.

The operation began on Friday following intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the forested belt of Akhal in south Kashmir. The encounter broke out after the terrorists opened fire on the joint team of security forces during a cordon and search operation (CASO).

After an initial exchange on Friday evening, the operation was paused overnight. However, security forces maintained a tight cordon and resumed firing on Saturday morning. Intermittent and intense gunfire continued through Saturday and into Sunday.

The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps confirmed the killing of one terrorist early on Saturday and reported that contact with the remaining militants had been maintained. Later, officials confirmed that two more terrorists were neutralised. One of them was identified as Haris Nazir Dar from Rajpora in Pulwama.

This operation comes just days after three terrorists — Suleiman alias Faizal Jat, Jibran, and Hamza Afghani — were eliminated in the Pahalgam area under Operation Mahadev. Operation Akhal remains active as security forces continue combing the forested area for any remaining militants.