Two Soldiers Killed in Kulgam Encounter: Operation Akhal Enters Ninth Day
Incident Overview
In a tragic development in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, two Indian Army soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, were killed in action during an intense gunfight with terrorists on the night of August 8, 2025 (ABP Live News, 2025). The encounter, part of Operation Akhal, which began on August 1, has entered its ninth day, marking it as one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley in recent years (Firstpost, 2025). The operation, conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Special Operations Group (SOG), aims to neutralize a group of heavily armed terrorists hiding in the dense forest area of Akhal.
Details of the Encounter
Operation Akhal was launched following specific intelligence about the presence of five to seven terrorists, including foreign militants, in the Akhal forest area of south Kashmir (The Indian Express, 2025). The operation commenced with a cordon and search mission, but the dense terrain, characterized by thick foliage and natural caves, has prolonged the engagement. On the night of August 8, security forces came under heavy fire from terrorists, resulting in the deaths of Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, with two other soldiers injured (India Today, 2025). The total number of injured security personnel since the operation began has reached ten (The New Indian Express, 2025).
The Chinar Corps of the Indian Army paid tribute to the fallen soldiers, stating on X:
Operational Challenges and Response
The prolonged nature of Operation Akhal is attributed to the challenging terrain, which provides natural cover for the terrorists, some of whom are believed to be well-trained in jungle warfare and equipped with night-vision devices and long-range rifles (ABP Live News, 2025). Security forces have deployed advanced technology, including drones, unmanned armed vehicles (UAVs), and helicopters, to track the militants (Hindustan Times, 2025). Elite para commandos have also been mobilized to assist in neutralizing the remaining terrorists (Firstpost, 2025).
Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, who is personally supervising the operation alongside Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava of the 15 Corps, emphasized the cautious approach to minimize casualties: “It’s taking time because of the difficult terrain and forest area. But we will track them down” (The Indian Express, 2025). So far, reports indicate that four to six terrorists have been killed, though the identities and affiliations of the slain militants are yet to be confirmed (The New Indian Express, 2025).
- Operation Akhal began on August 1, 2025, following intelligence about 5–7 terrorists in Akhal forest (The Indian Express, 2025).
- Two soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, killed on August 8 (ABP Live News, 2025).
- Ten security personnel injured since the operation’s start (The New Indian Express, 2025).
- Four to six terrorists neutralized, with ongoing efforts to confirm identities (Firstpost, 2025).
- Drones, helicopters, and para commandos deployed to counter well-trained militants (Hindustan Times, 2025).
Community Impact and Broader Context
The prolonged gunfire and explosions have caused significant distress among residents of Akhal and nearby villages, prompting many, especially women and children, to evacuate to safer locations (Firstpost, 2025). Authorities have appointed nodal officers to assist locals and manage emergencies. The operation follows a surge in anti-terror activities in the region, intensified after the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam attack, where Pakistan-based terrorists killed 26 civilians, mostly tourists (Deccan Herald, 2025). Since then, approximately 20 high-profile terrorists have been eliminated across Jammu and Kashmir (Deccan Herald, 2025).
The Kulgam encounter highlights the persistent security challenges in the region, with security forces facing well-armed militants in difficult terrain. The use of advanced surveillance and combat tactics underscores the complexity of modern counter-terrorism operations in Kashmir.
References
ABP Live News. (2025, August 9). 2 soldiers killed during gunfight with terrorists in J&K's Kulgam as Op Akhal enters 9th day. news.abplive.com.
ANI. (2025, August 9). Operation AKHAL, Kulgam | Lance/Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh made supreme sacrifice. x.com/ANI.
Deccan Herald. (2025, August 9). Two terrorists killed in encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam. www.deccanherald.com.
Firstpost. (2025, August 9). Operation Akhal: On day 9, 2 Indian Army soldiers killed in encounter; 1 terrorist neutralised. www.firstpost.com.
Hindustan Times. (2025, August 3). Encounter underway in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam day after two terrorists killed. www.hindustantimes.com.
India Today. (2025, August 9). 2 soldiers killed in gunfight with terrorists in J&K as Op Akhal enters day 9. www.indiatoday.in.
The Indian Express. (2025, August 9). 2 soldiers killed as operation to find terrorists in Kashmir’s Akhal forest enters day 9. indianexpress.com.
The New Indian Express. (2025, August 9). Two soldiers killed as Kulgam encounter with terrorists enters ninth day. www.newindianexpress.com.
