Two Jawans Killed in Ongoing Kulgam Operation

The operation, now in its ninth day as of Saturday in the Akhal forest area of Devsar, also resulted in the death of one militant, with unconfirmed reports suggesting a second militant may have been killed.

Two other soldiers were injured in the intense overnight clashes that involved heavy gun fire and explosions.

The Army's Srinagar-based 15 Corps-also known as Chinar Corps- confirmed the soldiers’ deaths in a post on X, stating, “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. Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. Operation continues.”

The officials said that the operation, one of the longest in the Kashmir Valley this year, began on July 31, following intelligence about terrorist presence, prompting a joint cordon and search operation by the Indian Army, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and CRPF. Security forces have deployed drones, sniffer dogs, Rudra helicopters, and Para Commandos to neutralize the militants, who are believed to be hiding in the dense, rugged terrain. Advanced surveillance systems are in use, and additional reinforcements have tightened the cordon around the encounter site.

Intermittent gun fire and explosions have persisted, with three soldiers injured on Wednesday night and four others wounded earlier in the operation. The challenging terrain and thick vegetation have slowed progress, but forces are exercising caution to avoid civilian casualties.

Northern Army Commander Lt. General Pratik Sharma visited Devsar on Thursday to assess the counter-terrorism grid and operational readiness.

Local residents of Akhal village, facing sleepless nights and dwindling food supplies due to the ongoing conflict, have appealed for relocation. Authorities have urged civilians to stay indoors and report suspicious activity, while medical teams remain on standby. The operation continues under close monitoring by senior security officials, with the Army on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC) and in the hinterland, highlighting the persistent terrorist threat in the region.