Srinagar: The anti-terror operation in the Akhal forest area of Kulgam district, South Kashmir was on Tuesday concluded after 12 days, marking one of the longest counter-terror operations in recent years.
Reports said that the decision to call off the operation was made after security forces, despite extensive searches, failed to establish fresh contact with the terrorists believed to be hiding in the area. The operation began on August 1, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of two to three heavily armed terrorists. During the encounter, two Army soldiers lost their lives, and at least ten others were injured. One local terrorist was killed in the initial gunfire, but it appears that the remaining terrorists managed to escape the cordon. The operation involved heavy gunfire as the terrorists shifted positions within the dense forest, complicating the search efforts. Security forces utilized drones, sniffer dogs, advanced surveillance technology, and attack helicopters, but the challenging terrain hindered access. The forest’s topography, which connects to higher ridges towards Pir Panjal, likely facilitated the terrorists’ escape. Although the encounter site has been cleared, security officials indicated that surveillance in the area would remain stringent to deter any potential re-emergence of terrorists. The nature of such operations in mountainous and forested regions often leads to prolonged engagements and increased troop casualties, necessitating sustained efforts to flush out terrorists from difficult terrains.
