Security Operations Intensify in Jammu & Kashmir; Two Soldiers Killed
Security forces in Jammu & Kashmir are engaged in multiple anti-terror operations. A new gunfight erupted in Kishtwar district on Sunday following an intelligence-based operation. Meanwhile, a prolonged encounter in the Akhal Devsar forest of Kulgam, now in its tenth day, resulted in the deaths of two Army soldiers from Punjab, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh. The operations, involving elite commandos and drones, highlight the continued efforts to dismantle the terror ecosystem in the region.
Unpacked:
The operations intensified following the Pahalgam terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, where Pakistan-based militants killed 26 civilians. Since then, security forces have launched multiple offensives to eliminate high-profile militants and prevent further violence in the region.
Security forces are contending with dense forest terrain, cave-like hideouts, and well-trained Lashkar-e-Taiba militants equipped with night-vision and long-range rifles. These factors have prolonged the operation and made it riskier for troops.
Residents, particularly in Akhal village, have been evacuating to safer areas due to continuous gunfire and explosions. Children and women are especially traumatized, and authorities have appointed nodal officers to assist and coordinate emergency responses.
Drones and attack helicopters are used for surveillance, locating militants' hideouts, and neutralizing threats in dense forests. Their deployment enables forces to engage with entrenched militants while minimizing risk to ground troops.