2 Soldiers Killed In Action During Encounter With Terrorists In J&K's Kulgam

Two army soldiers were killed in action during a close combat with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district as the gunfight entered its ninth day on Saturday.

This is one of the longest encounters between terrorists and security forces in Jammu and Kashmir in the recent past as terrorists appear to be well entrenched in a densely forest area. 

"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" Army's 15 Corps headquarters  said in a post on X. 

Official sources said two more soldiers were injured in the overnight gunbattle, taking the number of injured to 10. 

Hundreds of troops are involved in one of the biggest anti-terrorist operations to track down hiding terrorists. 

During the operations, security forces used drones and attack helicopters to neutralise the terrorists who appear to be well trained in jungle warfare. 

Amid heavy firing and occasional explosions, drones have been seen dropping explosives on target areas in the thick alpine forests of Akhal.  

Troops, including special forces or para- troopers of the army, are treading cautiously as helicopters however over the area and drones continue to hit suspected hideouts in the forests.

The encounter began last Friday after the Army, police and CRPF launched a joint operation following a tip off about the presence of a large group of terrorists at Akhal area. 

In the initial shoutout, one local terrorist was killed.

Top police and army commanders are regularly visiting the encounter site to supervise the operation.

"Yes, it's taking time because of the difficult terrain and forest area. But we will track them down," said Nalin Prabhath, Director General of Police J&K who is personally supervising the operation.

According to police sources, there was information about the presence of five terrorists when the operation was launched. There are reports that at least three of them are foreign terrorists who appear to be well trained in jungle warfare. 

There are very few local  terrorists left in Kashmir who are trained to face security forces. 

The Kulgam operation was launched days after security forces killed three terrorists during an encounter in the upper reaches of Srinagar.  The terrorists who were behind the Pahalgam massacre were killed in a meticulously planned operation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that the three were identified as Pakistani terrorists who had carried out the brutal killings of 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22.