Srinagar, August 7 — The anti-militancy operation in the Akhal area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district stretched into its seventh day on Thursday, as security forces continued efforts to flush out militants hiding in the dense forest terrain.
Officials confirmed that gunfire between militants and security forces resumed late Tuesday night and continued through Wednesday, leaving three army personnel injured. The injured soldiers were immediately shifted to a military hospital for treatment.
“There was a brief pause on Wednesday morning, but firing resumed late at night. Three jawans sustained injuries during the exchange of fire,” a senior official stated.
The joint operation led by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF has seen the deployment of drones and sniffer dogs as forces try to pinpoint the location of militants believed to be trapped in a rugged forest patch.
The encounter began last Thursday following specific intelligence inputs about militant presence in the region. However, progress has been slow due to the challenging terrain and thick vegetation, which have made the combing operations difficult.
Security forces are said to be exercising extreme caution to prevent collateral damage and protect civilians living in nearby areas.
This is one of the lengthiest anti-militancy operations in Kashmir this year and points to the continuing presence of militants in the volatile south Kashmir region. The operation remains active with additional reinforcements moved in to aid the search.
