Fifth Day of High-Stake Counter-Terror Op in Kulgam
The mountains and dense canopy of Akhal forest in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district aren't new to conflict. But for five days now, they've seen relentless action as security forces push to root out a group of militants hiding deep within. The operation began on August 3, after sharp intelligence pointed to three to five heavily armed militants operating in the area.
Within the first three days, security personnel managed to kill one of the militants, after hours of tense stand-off and strategic movement. By the fourth day, another round of gunfire rang out in the thick woods. Two more militants were neutralized, but their bodies have been hard to recover—hostile terrain, booby-trapped jungle, and the lurking presence of other gunmen have made every advance dangerous.
As of now, only one body has been retrieved from the forest. The other two are reportedly still inside, likely because the ground remains treacherous with the potential for hidden threats. The operation hasn’t been without risk for those risking their lives on the frontline. Two members of the security forces have been injured during the exchanges, a tough reminder of the real stakes in these operations.
Elite Forces, New Tech, and Relentless Pressure
What stands out in this operation is the strong joint effort. The Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF, and the elite Special Operations Group are all on the ground, combining resources and strategies. Modern tech is front and center—drones zip through the treetops mapping suspected hideouts while army helicopters buzz overhead, both spotting movement and providing backup for the soldiers below.
Security forces are focused on accuracy more than brute force. They're using calibrated fire—carefully chosen shots instead of overwhelming barrages—to avoid civilian casualties or damaging the area unnecessarily. With local villages nearby and thick forest offering endless cover, the task is anything but simple.
This operation comes hot on the heels of another recent win: the takedown of three Pakistani militants tied to the attack in Pahalgam at the end of July. Those successes boosted morale and sent a clear message, but the current standoff shows how persistent and unpredictable these clashes remain. Each day, the cordon tightens as the teams close in on possible remaining threats. The identities of the militants killed in Akhal are still being established—always a tense moment as investigators pore over clues to confirm whether they've ended local or cross-border threats.
With the fifth day underway and weapons still quiet only briefly between skirmishes, the story in Kulgam operation is far from wrapped up. Security remains tight as forces refuse to let up, determined to clear every pocket of resistance from the dense woods.