2 Soldiers Martyred in Terrorist Encounter in J&K’s Kulgam

Operation Akhal: Kulgam’s Longest Anti-Terror Battle Claims Two Lives

1. A Mission Born of Intelligence, Prolonged by Persistence

On August 1, 2025, security forces of the Indian Army, assisted by the J&K Police and CRPF, launched a cordon-and-search operation in the dense, forested area of Akhal, within South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, acting on specific intelligence regarding the presence of armed militants.

What followed became one of the longest and most complex anti-terror operations in Kashmir in recent years. Through the ensuing days, intermittent but intense firefights unfolded, leveraging technologies—helicopters, drones, and UAVs—to track militants camouflaged within natural caves and thick foliage.

2. The Ninth Day: Heroism Amid Unrelenting Conflict

By August 9, 2025, the operation had entered its ninth day. Overnight, militants engaged the security forces in fierce gunfire, resulting in the martyrdom of two soldiers:

• Lance Naik Pritpal Singh
• Sepoy Harminder Singh

These losses were confirmed by the Army’s Chinar Corps, which honoured their supreme sacrifice and pledged solidarity with their families.

Additional soldiers sustained injuries—reports indicate that at least two were injured overnight, bringing the total known casualties to four martyred and others wounded.

3. Tactical Overview: Technology, Terrain, Tenacity

The challenging terrain—dense forests with hidden caves—necessitated innovative tactics and cautious advances:

• Drones and helicopters played a vital role in surveillance and dropping explosives on suspected hideouts, a first in such operations.
• Elite para commandos, equipped with advanced gear, assisted ground troops, moving methodically to degrade militant resources and morale. A senior official noted that forces intentionally operated slowly to prevent further casualties and exhaust the militants’ ammunition and rations.
• The operation was under the supervision of Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava (GOC, 15 Corps) and DGP Nalin Prabhat, reflecting its high strategic importance.

4. Broader Security Context and Regional Significance

This confrontation marks a significant escalation in South Kashmir:

• It stands as the longest-running anti-terror operation since September 2023, when a seven-day encounter in Kokernag region resulted in multiple casualties among security personnel and a militant.
• It follows rapidly on the heels of another intense encounter in late July, where three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants involved in a previous terror incident were neutralized near Srinagar.
• The situation remains fluid and tense, with the operation still underway and militants at large.

5. The Human Toll: Honouring the Fallen

Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh paid the ultimate price in service of their country. The Army’s tribute via its social platform reaffirmed their courage and pledged inspiration from their dedication.

Understandably, their families and comrades grieve. While details on funeral arrangements or personal backgrounds remain unreported, the call for national mourning rings clear—these are not mere statistics, but real lives offered in the line of duty.

6. Reflections and the Road Ahead

a. Strategically

• This encounter underscores the persistent threat posed by well-trained, heavily armed militants operating in challenging terrain.
• It emphasizes the importance of intelligence-led operations, technological integration, and inter-agency coordination—all increasingly central to modern counter-terrorism in Kashmir.

b. Tactically

• The use of drones, helicopters, and specialist units illustrates a shift toward precision operations, aiming to minimize friendly casualties.
• The slow, calculated progression also signals a strategic preference to exhaust enemy resources rather than rapidly storming fortifications.

c. Politically and Socially

• Beyond its military dimensions, the operation occurs within the broader, complex Kashmir dispute, marked by periodic surges in militancy since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019.
• Each such incident impacts public sentiment, counter-insurgency policy, and Indo–Pak dynamics—underscoring how local engagements resonate nationally and regionally.

7. Conclusion: Courage Amid Adversity

The operation in Kulgam, culminating in the martyrdom of two brave souls, is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices that underpin national security. The resilient response by our forces, their strategic adaptability, and their unwavering resolve illustrate the high stakes and human cost of combatting terrorism in Kashmir.

As the search continues and operations press on, it is equally vital for the nation to remember and honour Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, not just as soldiers, but as individuals who displayed courage when it mattered most.

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