Three terrorists were killed and one soldier injured on Sunday as Operation Akhal, one of the biggest counter-terror exercises of 2025, entered its third consecutive day in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district. With this, the death toll of terrorists has risen to six, after three were neutralized on Saturday by security forces.
Gunbattle in Kulgam’s Akhal Forests
The gunfight began on Friday, when security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the dense Akhal forests of south Kashmir based on intelligence inputs. A group of terrorists, hiding under forest cover, opened fire, triggering a fierce encounter.
Following an initial exchange, the operation was paused Friday night and resumed Saturday, leading to the killing of three terrorists belonging to The Resistance Front (TRF) — a proxy outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The TRF had earlier claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
Heavy Firing, Explosions Continue
Security forces reported continuous firing and explosions throughout the night, as elite units of the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police press forward with the operation. The situation is being closely monitored by J&K DGP and the 15 Corps Commander, with high-tech surveillance systems deployed to track movement in the rugged forest terrain.
Part of a Larger Anti-Terror Offensive
Operation Akhal is the latest in a series of high-profile counter-terror actions across Jammu and Kashmir. In recent days:
- Operation Mahadev led to the elimination of LeT terrorists behind the Pahalgam massacre near Dachigam.
- Operation Shiv Shakti, conducted on July 29, saw the Army eliminate two more terrorists.
- Since the April 22 attack, forces have neutralized around 20 high-profile terrorists.
- In a significant cross-border offensive, Operation Sindoor, conducted between May 6-7, resulted in over 100 terrorists being killed in Pakistan.
Conclusion
As Operation Akhal continues, it reflects a renewed and intensified strategy by Indian security forces to dismantle terror networks in the region. The sustained offensive, combining ground intelligence, elite units, and advanced surveillance, signals a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
