Five days on, hunt continues for militants in Kulgam forest

The anti-terror operation in the forests of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district entered its fifth day on Tuesday, with intermittent gunfire and explosions continuing at the site.

The gunfight began last Friday in the Akhal area during a joint operation involving the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Army and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF).

Official sources said the operation remains active, with security forces working to neutralise the militants believed to be hiding in the dense forest area.

So far, only one militant’s body has been recovered, although officials believe a second militant has also been killed. “We can only tell the exact number of killed terrorists in the operation only after it concludes,” said a senior officer.

Initial intelligence suggested the presence of five militants. With sporadic firing continuing for days, officials said the militants have managed to use the thick forest cover to prolong the encounter.

To intensify the operation, security forces have deployed Rudra helicopters, surveillance drones and elite units of the Army’s Special Forces. Additional reinforcements from nearby districts have also been sent to the area.

Top security officials, including Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat and General Officer Commanding of the 15 Corps, Lt Gen Prashant Srivastava, have visited the encounter site to monitor the ongoing operation.