In a significant operation conducted by security forces in the Akhal forest area of Devsar locality, South Kashmir’s Kulgam district, three terrorists were neutralised during an intense encounter. The operation, part of an ongoing campaign dubbed Operation Mahadev, involved a collaborative effort from the Indian Army, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and Jammu and Kashmir Police, initiated following credible intelligence regarding terrorist movements in the region.
The encounter commenced on Friday evening as security personnel launched a cordon and search operation aimed at apprehending potential terrorist threats. The situation escalated swiftly when the terrorists engaged the troops, opening fire. Among those neutralised was Haris Nazir, identified as a resident of Pulwama and categorized as a Category-C militant linked to the Pakistan-based terror organization Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Throughout the night, the firefight persisted with intermittent gunfire, escalating notably around 4 am Saturday. The dense terrain and darkness posed challenges for the retrieval operations, but the area has been placed under strict cordon to prevent further escape of militants. Officials suspect that 2–3 foreign terrorists may still be present in the vicinity, prompting ongoing searches and engagement efforts.
This latest encounter follows a surge in counter-terror initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier in the week, as part of the broader counter-terror crackdown, three terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba were eliminated, notably including Suleiman, confirmed by Home Minister Amit Shah as the mastermind behind an attack that occurred on April 22 in Pahalgam.
The recent days have witnessed a marked increase in counter-terror operations, underscored by a foiled infiltration attempt just prior to the Kulgam engagement. Security forces successfully killed two infiltrators attempting to breach the Line of Control in the Kalsian-Gulpur area of Poonch.
In a related development, the Indian Army reported the unfortunate death of Agniveer Lalit Kumar due to a landmine explosion during a patrol in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch. While encounter incidents have decreased compared to earlier months in this summer, the casualty rate for militants has seen a notable rise since June.
Government officials have reiterated their commitment to combatting terrorism in the region, assuring that joint security efforts will continue as Operation Akhal progresses in the Kulgam forests, with a focus on safeguarding civilian lives and maintaining regional stability.
