One Terrorist Killed in Ongoing Kulgam Encounter as Operation Akhal Continues

An ongoing anti-terror operation in south Kashmir's Kulgam district has resulted in the neutralisation of one militant, the Indian Army confirmed on Saturday. The gunfight, officially designated "Operation Akhal", commenced on Friday evening, August 1, 2025, in the General Area Akhal. Security forces maintained contact with the terrorists throughout the intervening night of Friday and Saturday, responding with "calibrated fire". This joint effort involves the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and the CRPF.

Updates from the Indian Army's Chinar Corps on social media platform X provided real-time insights into the developing situation. Their latest post on Saturday morning stated that an "intermittent and intense firefight continued through the night," with alert troops having "tightened the noose while maintaining contact". The joint anti-terror operation is still in progress, indicating continued efforts by the combined forces, which also include the Special Operations Group (SOG), to fully clear the area.

This latest gunfight underscores the persistent security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir. It follows closely on the heels of a foiled infiltration bid just two days prior along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, which led to the killing of at least two unidentified terrorists. Furthermore, less than a week ago, a significant anti-terror operation in Srinagar saw three Pakistani terrorists, linked to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, neutralised by security forces on July 28.

July 2025 witnessed a marginal rise in terrorism-related fatalities across Jammu and Kashmir, with a total of six deaths reported in the union territory. This figure included five terrorists and one security forces personnel. The ongoing Operation Akhal is a testament to the continuous efforts by Indian security forces to combat militancy in the region and maintain peace and stability.