Kulgam gun battle enters 8th day; 7 personnel injured, 3 terrorists killed

The fierce anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district has entered its eighth day, making it the longest encounter in the recent history of the region. A large contingent of security forces, including the Army, J&K Police, and CRPF, are engaged in a gun battle with well-entrenched terrorists in a dense forest area in Akhal. According to reports, at least seven security personnel have been injured during the ongoing operation, highlighting the challenging nature of the terrain and the terrorists' preparedness for jungle warfare.

The operation began last week following a tip-off about the presence of a large group of terrorists. After an initial exchange of fire, a massive manhunt was launched. Security forces are treading cautiously, utilizing advanced technology such as drones and attack helicopters to neutralize the hiding terrorists. Top police and army commanders, including J&K DGP Nalin Prabath, are personally supervising the operation, with the DGP stating, "It's taking time because of the difficult terrain and forest area. But we will track them down."

Police sources have indicated that the operation was launched with the information that five terrorists were present, with at least three of them believed to be foreign nationals and well-trained in jungle warfare. So far, three terrorists have been killed in the encounter. The ongoing operation underscores the security forces' intensified efforts to combat terrorism in the region, coming just days after the perpetrators of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack were also neutralized in a separate operation.