Two soldiers killed in Kulgam encounter as ‘Operation Akhal’ enters 9th day
Security personnel during the ninth day of one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Valley, in Kulgam, on Saturday | PTI
Two Army soldiers were killed and two others injured in an encounter with terrorists in the Akhal Devsar area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Saturday morning.
Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh laid down their lives in the gunfight that broke out during the ongoing anti-terror operation in the region. The Operation Akhal, one of the longest in the Valley, entered the ninth day on Saturday.
"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 Chinar Corps posted on X.
Two terrorists have been killed so far in the operation, which is jointly being carried out by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, CRPF and the Special Operations Group (SOG) in a forest at Akhal in the south Kashmir district. The identity and the group affiliation of the slain terrorists have not been ascertained so far.
Eleven security personnel have been injured since the beginning of the operation on August 1. After an initial exchange of fire between the two sides on Friday last, the operation was halted for the night, but the cordon was strengthened, and additional reinforcements were rushed to the area.
Security forces have pressed drones and helicopters into service to track the terrorists down in the forest area. Para commandos were also assisting the security forces in neutralising the hiding ultras, according to a PTI report.
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