SRINAGAR, Aug 9— Two Indian Army soldiers were killed overnight as the gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district entered its ninth day on Saturday, marking one of the longest-running anti-terror operations in the Valley.
The Army’s Chinar Corps identified the soldiers as Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh. “Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us. #IndianArmy expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. Operation continues,” the Corps posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Launched on August 1, the operation — codenamed Operation Akhal — began after security forces received specific intelligence about the presence of terrorists in a forested area in Akhal, south Kashmir. Since then, 11 security personnel have been injured and two terrorists have been killed.
The joint effort by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and paramilitary forces involves the use of drones, helicopters, and para commandos to track militants hiding in the dense forest.
Senior officers, including Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat and the Army’s Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, are overseeing the mission.
Security forces have maintained a tight cordon around the area, and officials say the operation will continue until the remaining militants are neutralised. Further details are awaited.
