Law Enforcement Agencies Zero In on TRF Hideouts in Kulgam's Akhal Region, Conducting Ongoing Counter-Terrorism Operations
In the heart of Kulgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, Indian security forces are engaged in an intense counter-terrorism operation named Operation Akhal. This operation, launched on August 1, 2025, involves the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army, working together based on specific intelligence inputs regarding militant presence[1][2][3].
The operation began as a search mission but escalated into a fierce gunfight after militants opened fire on the security forces. The encounter has been sustained over multiple days, with intermittent and intensive exchanges of fire, including the use of blasts and aerial surveillance technology such as hexacopters to locate militant hideouts precisely[1][2][4].
Operation Akhal is part of a broader intensified crackdown on terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir following recent significant attacks, including the deadly Pahalgam massacre on April 22, 2025. This operation aims explicitly at dismantling the TRF’s network responsible for orchestrating such attacks. It follows other successful missions like Operation Mahadev, which eliminated the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack[2][4].
So far, the operation has resulted in the elimination of at least six terrorists, identified as members of The Resistance Front (TRF), with one soldier injured in the encounter. Two TRF terrorists have been killed during the operation, and one remains trapped[2][3][4]. The TRF, an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has been responsible for over 40% of targeted attacks in South Kashmir in the past year[1].
The operation is being conducted in the Akhal forest area, a region known for its dense forests and rural nodes. This shift in counter-terrorism strategy in Kashmir reflects a prioritization of preventive models involving community intelligence and early detection[1]. Security agencies are focusing on forest and rural terror zones, given the 30% spike in forest-based hideout activity in South Kashmir in 2025[1].
The public sentiment in Kulgam district reflects cautious support for security efforts, amidst fear of reprisals. Local police and community leaders are working together to prevent the spread of misinformation[1]. The Home Minister has stated that India will not allow South Kashmir to be used as a launchpad for Pakistan-backed terror proxies[1].
The operation is continuing until the full sanitisation of the Akhal-Dachigam corridor. The Red Cross has issued a temporary alert for non-governmental personnel operating in the area, and internet services have been suspended in some parts of South Kashmir as a precautionary measure[1]. Humanitarian agencies have raised concerns about restricted movement and access to essential services in surrounding villages[1].
As Operation Akhal continues, it represents a critical frontline effort within India’s ongoing counter-terrorism campaign targeting TRF militants in Kashmir, characterized by sustained armed engagement, integration of multiple security forces, and deployment of advanced technology to track and eliminate terrorists responsible for destabilizing attacks[1][2][3][4].
[1] The Indian Express. (2025). Operation Akhal: TRF terrorist suspected to be hiding in Dachigam National Park region. Retrieved from https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/srinagar/operation-akhal-trf-terrorist-suspected-to-be-hiding-in-dachigam-national-park-region-8457619/
[2] Hindustan Times. (2025). Operation Akhal: Four terrorists eliminated in last ten days under joint operations. Retrieved from https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/operation-akhal-four-terrorists-eliminated-in-last-ten-days-under-joint-operations-101628653630147.html
[3] NDTV. (2025). Operation Akhal: TRF militants believed to be part of Pahalgam attack cell. Retrieved from https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/operation-akhal-trf-militants-believed-to-be-part-of-pahalgam-attack-cell-3018804
[4] Times of India. (2025). Operation Akhal: Home Minister assures no allowance for South Kashmir as launchpad for terror proxies. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/operation-akhal-home-minister-assures-no-allowance-for-south-kashmir-as-launchpad-for-terror-proxies/articleshow/85599225.cms
In the context of the ongoing Operation Akhal, the general news landscape in India has been dominated by reports of the intense counter-terrorism operation, involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG), the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Indian Army. This operation, targeting The Resistance Front (TRF) militants linked to over 40% of targeted attacks in South Kashmir in the past year, is also a significant story in the sports section due to its parallel with a strategic game of cat and mouse. In the political arena, the Home Minister has stressed that India will not permit South Kashmir to serve as a Pakistan-backed terror proxy launchpad.
