Srinagar (Rajeev Sharma): Two soldiers were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district as security forces continue a prolonged anti-terror mission that has now stretched into its ninth day, the Indian Army said on Saturday. The operation, codenamed Op Akhal, was launched earlier this month after credible intelligence reports about the presence of heavily armed terrorists in the region.
Officials confirmed that Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh lost their lives after sustaining critical injuries in an overnight exchange of fire. Two other soldiers were wounded and are undergoing treatment.
Paying tribute to the fallen soldiers, the Chinar Corps stated on X, “We salute the supreme sacrifice of our Bravehearts. Their valour and dedication to duty will remain etched in our memories forever.”
The confrontation began on August 1, when security teams initiated a cordon-and-search operation in the forested areas of Akhal, following tip-offs about militant movement. The terrorists, believed to be carrying sophisticated weapons, have been resisting surrender.
With drones, helicopters, and ground forces pressed into service, the search effort remains in full swing. Sporadic firing was still being reported from the hilly terrain on Saturday, as forces tighten the net to neutralise the remaining threats.
This is among the lengthiest counter-insurgency operations in recent months, highlighting the complexity of tackling well-equipped militant groups operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
