Nine-day standoff in Kulgam results in the loss of two Indian army soldiers during the ongoing encounter
In the Akhal forest area of Kulgam district, Operation Akhal, a joint military operation involving the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG), entered its ninth day on August 9, 2025. The operation, which started on August 1, aims to neutralise terrorists believed to be hiding in the dense forest terrain.
The operation has been marked by intense cordon-and-search and firefights against the terrorists. On August 2, a terrorist hideout was busted in the Gogaldara-Danwas forest by the Baramulla Police.
Tragically, two Indian Army soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, lost their lives during an encounter with terrorists on an undisclosed date. The Army and Chinar Corps paid tribute to the fallen soldiers. The families of the deceased soldiers have been extended their deepest condolences by the Indian Army.
In addition to the loss of life, ten soldiers have been reportedly injured during Operation Akhal. The operation saw intermittent and intense firefights continuing through the night. Despite heavy efforts, the terrorists were reported to have broken the security cordon by the end of the operation, which lasted over 11 days.
However, the operation has seen some successes. So far, one terrorist has been neutralised by the security forces during the current phase of Operation Akhal. Another terrorist was killed during the initial phase of the operation.
The operation continues, with alert troops maintaining a tightened noose and responding with calibrated fire. The Indian Army remains committed to ensuring peace and security in the region and will continue to take all necessary measures to neutralise terrorism.
- Despite the ongoing Operation Akhal in India's Kulgam district, with its focus on war-and-conflicts, an incident of crime-and-justice emerged as two Indian Army soldiers lost their lives during a confrontation with terrorists.
- The sports scene in India remained unaffected by Operation Akhal, yet sports-betting platforms worldwide continued to feature the ongoing military operation as a topic of general-news discussion.
- In contrast to the escalating tensions in India's war-and-conflicts scene, the Indian government made significant progress in politics by introducing new policies promoting education and community development in secluded forest areas such as Akhal.
