Kulgam’s Akhal Forest Operation Drags Into Day 12; Forces Wait Before Delivering Final Blow

Last Updated:August 12, 2025, 21:57 IST

The forces are relying on patience, aiming to exhaust the terrorists’ supplies and morale

Two brave soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, made the supreme sacrifice, while ten other personnel have been injured. File pic/PTI

Twelve days after security forces launched an anti-terror operation in the dense forests of Akhal in Kulgam’s Dewsar area, the encounter is still ongoing, marking one of the Valley’s longest continuous operations in recent memory.

The operation began on August 1, following specific inputs received by the security forces indicating that a heavily armed group, believed to be Pakistani nationals, had taken shelter in the dense Akhal forest. The initial cordon and search operation led to the encounter. So far, one terrorist has been killed in the operation named “Operation Akhal". Two brave soldiers, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, made the supreme sacrifice, while ten other personnel have been injured.

Thick Woods, Tough Terrain

According to Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey (Retd), former commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps, the slow progress is deliberate. “This is thick jungle, with heavy undergrowth. Rushing in risks more casualties," he said. “We’ve already lost two brave men, and there’s no need to take more hits. The aim is to eliminate the terrorists without collateral damage." He assured News18 that the terrorists would be eliminated.

Experts say the terrain of the Akhal forest favours the militants, with natural caves, multiple exit routes, and a direct link to the Pir Panjal range. The group is suspected to be from The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, and is believed to possess night-vision devices, long-range rifles, and ample ammunition.

Layers of Security, Patience as a Weapon

The Army, J&K Police’s Special Operations Group, CRPF commandos, and elite Para units have secured the area in a multi-layered cordon. Armed drones and helicopters provide surveillance and precision strike options.

Instead of storming in, the forces are relying on patience, aiming to exhaust the terrorists’ supplies and morale before delivering the final blow

The ‘Mahadev’ Template

The ongoing Kulgam standoff contrasts sharply with Operation Mahadev, conducted last month in the Dachigam forests. Acting on 14 days of pinpoint intelligence, security forces eliminated three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack in under an hour. That mission, involving the Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, was widely praised for its precision, coordination, and lack of collateral damage.

Satellite-based tracking, human intelligence from locals, and rapid multi-agency mobilisation ensured the operation was over almost as soon as it began.

Waiting for the Right Moment

Sources say the Akhal mission is being guided by the same principle—strike once conditions favour the security forces. With senior officers, including the Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastav, and J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat, visiting the site, troops on the ground have been told there is no rush.

The message is clear: patience now, a decisive finish later.

Tejinder Singh Sodhi

A defence journalist, Tejinder Singh Sodhi has the distinction of being the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In his career span...Read More

A defence journalist, Tejinder Singh Sodhi has the distinction of being the only Indian civilian to have studied at the US Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. In his career span...

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Jammu, India, India

First Published:

August 12, 2025, 21:57 IST

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