By PC Bureau
In one of the most intense counter-terrorism operations of 2025, codenamed “Operation Akhal,” a joint team of Indian security forces, led by the elite Para Commandos, has been locked in a fierce gunbattle with a heavily armed group of terrorists in the Akhal forest area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district since Friday evening.
Now in its fourth day, the operation has already neutralized two terrorists, with indications that another may be wounded, as security forces tighten the noose around a suspected group of 3-4 militants still hiding in the dense forest terrain.
The operation commenced on Friday evening following credible intelligence about the presence of terrorists in the rugged, forested Akhal area of Devsar, Kulgam district.
A joint team comprising the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) launched a cordon-and-search operation to flush out the terrorists. The terrorists, holed up in the thickly forested region, opened fire on the approaching forces, triggering a prolonged and intense firefight that has continued intermittently through Saturday night and into Sunday, August 3.
The dense forest cover and challenging terrain have complicated the operation, but security forces have maintained a robust cordon to prevent any escape.
According to officials, the operation was briefly paused on Friday night due to poor visibility, as per standard protocol, but resumed with renewed vigor on Saturday morning. Intermittent gunfire and explosions have persisted, signaling the terrorists’ determination to resist despite mounting losses.
So far, two terrorists have been neutralized, and security officials suspect that at least one more terrorist was wounded in the fierce gunfight.
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The identities and affiliations of the slain terrorists remain unconfirmed, but sources suggest they could be local terrorists linked to the Terrorist Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
The possibility of foreign terrorists being among the group has not been ruled out, given the intensity and duration of the firefight, which points to a well-armed and determined adversary.
On the security forces’ side, at least four soldiers have sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment at a nearby facility. Their conditions are reported to be stable. Senior officials estimate that 3-4 terrorists may still be trapped within the cordoned area, and efforts are underway to locate and neutralize them using a combination of ground operations and advanced surveillance technology.
Operation Akhal has seen the deployment of cutting-edge technology to counter the challenges posed by the dense forest environment. Surveillance drones, thermal imaging devices, and night vision equipment are being used to track terrorist movements within the foliage. Helicopters providing air surveillance have played a critical role in pinpointing the terrorists’ locations, enabling security forces to strategize a decisive assault.To prevent the terrorists from exploiting the terrain to escape, additional forces have been deployed to plug gaps in the outer cordon. Security personnel are exercising restraint to avoid collateral damage, reflecting a disciplined approach despite the high-stakes nature of the operation.
The operation is being closely monitored by top security officials, including Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Nalin Prabhat and the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Army’s 15 Corps, Lt-Gen Prashant Srivastava. DGP Prabhat visited the encounter site on Saturday to assess the situation and coordinate with ground forces, while Lt-Gen Srivastava was present at ground zero on Sunday to oversee the ongoing efforts. Their direct involvement underscores the operation’s strategic importance in curbing militancy in South Kashmir, a region that has witnessed sporadic terrorist activity in recent years.
Operation Akhal marks the third major anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir within the past week, highlighting a surge in counter-terrorism efforts amid rising infiltration attempts along the Line of Control (LoC). On July 28, 2025, “Operation Mahadev” in Srinagar’s Dachigam forest resulted in the elimination of three Pakistani terrorists, including the mastermind of the April 22 Pahalgam attack, by the Army’s Para Commandos. Two days later, on July 30, “Operation Shiv Shakti” in Poonch district saw two more terrorists neutralized along the LoC.The Akhal operation follows a pattern of intensified security operations in response to heightened militant activity.
Security analysts view Operation Akhal as a critical effort to dismantle terrorist networks in South Kashmir, potentially disrupting their operational capabilities in the region.
