3 terrorists killed, soldier injured as Operation Akhal in J&K enters Day 3

In Jammu and Kashmir, three terrorists lost their lives, and a soldier sustained injuries as Operation Akhal, one of this year’s largest counter-terrorism operations, reached its third day on Sunday. With this, the total count of terrorists eliminated in the current operation rises to six, following the killing of three by security forces on Saturday.

The sounds of explosions and gunfire persisted throughout the night in the Akhal forest region of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. The confrontation between militants and a combined unit of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Army, and CRPF is ongoing. On Friday, the security forces initiated a search and cordon operation in the Akhal forests following intelligence reports regarding the presence of terrorists in the region. A clash ensued when a band of terrorists, concealed by the forest, began shooting at the security forces. Following an initial gunfight, the operation was paused on Friday night.

It continued on Saturday, as security forces neutralized three terrorists. Officials informed India Today that the terrorists who died on Saturday were affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), a splinter group of the prohibited Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The group took responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians. Advanced monitoring technologies and specialized paramilitary units are participating in the operation.

The situation is being closely observed by the DGP and the 15 Corps Commander. This update follows the recent operation in which security forces eliminated the Lashkar militants responsible for the Pahalgam massacre near Dachigam area in Srinagar, referred to as Operation Mahadev .