The anti-terror operation launched in the Akhal Devsar area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district entered its fourth consecutive day on Sunday, as security forces maintained pressure on militants holed up in the region. According to Mint, one terrorist was eliminated during a fierce overnight exchange of fire.
Joint Forces Maintain Vigil
The counterinsurgency effort involves a coordinated operation by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Special Operations Group (SOG). The militant was gunned down late Saturday night as forces maintained a tight cordon and responded with targeted fire in the forested terrain.
Security personnel confirmed that the operation remains active, with additional terrorists possibly still trapped. Elite commandos and surveillance drones have been deployed to track movement in the dense area.
Recent Pattern of Militancy
This operation comes shortly after two militants attempting to infiltrate across the border were killed in the Poonch sector on July 30. In a separate incident earlier in the week, four militants, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander involved in the Pahalgam attack, were killed in another anti-terror drive near Dachigam National Park.
These back-to-back encounters point to a renewed push by militant groups to reassert their presence in key districts like Kulgam, known for forested hideouts and proximity to strategic routes.
High Stakes and Security Impact
Officials have termed Operation Akhal one of the longest and most significant counterinsurgency actions in Kashmir this year. The prolonged nature of the gunfight and sustained resistance suggests that militants had fortified themselves well, possibly indicating a planned regrouping in the region.
So far, four security personnel have suffered injuries during the operation. Authorities have yet to confirm the identity of the militant killed. Searches have expanded to nearby forest patches amid intermittent firing.
Local Forces Lead the Charge
The Special Operations Group, comprising local personnel trained for high-risk missions, is playing a frontline role in the operation. These units are experienced in handling terrain-specific threats and often spearhead search and cordon actions in the Valley.
Strategic Importance
Kulgam holds strategic relevance in Kashmir’s security map, and the prolonged exchange indicates the area’s growing vulnerability to militant regrouping. The operation’s outcome is expected to have a bearing on upcoming security reviews and deployment strategies.
Photo Credit: Mint
