New Delhi: Two Indian Army soldiers lost their lives in an ongoing encounter with terrorists that began on Friday night in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, the Army confirmed on Saturday.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Chinar Corps paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating:”Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. #IndianArmy expresses deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved families. Operation continues.”
Update: OP AKHAL, Kulgam
Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. #IndianArmy expresses deepest condolences and stand in… pic.twitter.com/La4i49Ov2h
— Chinar Corps – Indian Army (@ChinarcorpsIA) August 9, 2025
According to officials, the gun battle has now stretched into its ninth consecutive day as of Saturday, making it one of the longest-running anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley.
The encounter began on 1 August when security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forested area of Akhal in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, based on credible intelligence regarding the presence of terrorists in the region.
The joint operation is being carried out by the PARA and RR of the Indian Army, the OG of the J&K Police, and the CRPF. Drones, hexacopters, Rudera helicopter are doing surveillance, and sniffer dogs have also been pressed into service to trace the terrorist, who is believed to be hiding in this rugged forest patch.
Yesterday, the Northern Army Commander, Lt. Gen. Pratik Sharma, visited the Devsar area in South Kashmir. He took a review meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Grid in South Kashmir.
Security forces had pushed in Helicopters and Drones to locate hiding terrorists in the area. Forces were using High-tech surveillance equipment, including drones and thermal imaging devices, along with elite Para Special Forces to carry out the operation.
The encounter had initially started on Friday last week after specific inputs about the terrorist presence in the area. However, the terrain and thick vegetation have posed major challenges to the forces. In the initial firefight on the first day, 1 terrorist was killed, affiliated with LeT, and his body with arms and ammunition was recovered. On the second day source said two more terrorists were killed, but no body was recovered, and no official confirmation was given.
In the last 9 days, 1 terrorist was killed, 2 army soldiers were martyred, and 11 security force personnel were injured and are being treated army hospital.
This operation had become not longest ongoing anti-terror operations in the Valley since terrorism broke out in Jammu Kashmir, underscoring the presence of terrorists in the south Kashmir belt with intensified counter-insurgency efforts.
Authorities have also advised residents of Akhal to stay indoors and report any suspicious movement to authorities immediately. Nodal officers have been appointed for emergency contact and assistance given to civilian concerns amid the prolonged operation. Authorities have issued a list of nodal officers and their contacts publicly, if need for help.