Summary
- Ongoing gun battle in Kulgam’s Akhal forest marks the third major anti-terror push in Jammu and Kashmir in a week.
- At least two terrorists have been killed so far, while firing from two directions continues.
- Officials believe highly trained foreign militants are using dense terrain to prolong the Kulgam encounter operation.
Escalation in the Forest: A Tactical Standstill
The fourth day of the Kulgam encounter operation has brought no respite for Indian forces entrenched in a dense forest in south Kashmir’s Akhal area. Launched on Friday, the coordinated effort by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police followed actionable intelligence regarding the presence of a heavily armed terrorist group.
Intermittent gunfire and sporadic blasts echoed through the woods over the weekend, signaling fierce resistance from militants. According to Inspector General of Police VK Birdi, two terrorists have been neutralized so far. While one body has been recovered, the second lies inaccessible due to continued hostilities.
The Kulgam encounter operation has now evolved into a high-risk standoff, with drones and helicopters deployed to trace hidden firing points. The complex terrain, laden with thick canopy cover and steep slopes, gives the adversaries a clear geographical advantage. This deliberate pacing by security forces, although slow, underscores the strategic patience demanded in modern anti-terror warfare.
As of Monday, three security personnel have been injured, and gunfire continues to erupt from two distinct directions. The identity and nationalities of the remaining terrorists remain unconfirmed, but security officials suggest the presence of foreign fighters, well-trained in jungle combat.
Heavy firing heard again in Akhal, Kulgam this morning as the encounter enters its 4th consecutive day. Operation underway; one militant has been killed so far. pic.twitter.com/9Rwst2RqQd
— Imran Naikoo (@ImranNaikoo) August 4, 2025
Multiple Fronts, One Objective
- The Kulgam operation is part of a broader escalation of counter-terror actions in Kashmir.
- A pattern of infiltration from across the LoC has emerged in recent months.
The Kulgam encounter operation is not an isolated event. It follows the elimination of three terrorists in Pahalgam last week, responsible for the April 22 massacre that left 26 civilians dead. Union Home Minister Amit Shah informed Parliament that the slain assailants were Pakistani nationals, reiterating New Delhi’s long-standing claim of cross-border terrorism.
Only a day before the current standoff in Kulgam, Indian forces intercepted and killed two infiltrators near the Line of Control in Poonch. They were tracked shortly after breaching into Indian territory, suggesting robust surveillance protocols are now in place.
The Akhal operation appears to be a continuation of this renewed offensive. According to IGP Birdi, intelligence had confirmed the presence of at least five militants in the forest when the operation commenced. Of these, two or three are believed to be foreign nationals—a worrying but not surprising detail, considering the shifting profile of militant actors in Kashmir.
The Kulgam encounter operation reflects the evolving nature of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, where locals are now few and under-trained, while foreign operatives fill the vacuum with better resources and discipline.
What the Data Reveals: A Shrinking Local Footprint
- Local terrorist recruitment is down 51% in J&K, per MHA’s 2023–24 annual report.
- Active foreign militants now outnumber local ones in many districts.
The Indian government’s counter-insurgency strategy appears to be yielding quantifiable results. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ 2023–24 Annual Report, local recruitment of terrorists dropped by 51% in the past year alone. This is corroborated by a mid-year update from the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which notes only 19 active foreign militants still operating in the valley.
This shift from local to foreign operatives has strategic implications. Local terrorists, often poorly trained and ideologically motivated, lack the sophisticated survival skills that foreign mercenaries bring to the battlefield. That explains the protracted nature of the Kulgam encounter operation, where well-entrenched, jungle-trained combatants have turned a counter-terror sweep into a long standoff.
Figures from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) show that by July 2025, Indian forces had already neutralized 76 terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, of which 31 were identified as foreign nationals. Most of these encounters occurred in southern districts like Shopian, Anantnag, and now Kulgam.
Forest Warfare and Tactical Evolution
- Indian forces are now mandating terrain-specific combat training for troops in high-risk zones.
- Drones, thermal sensors, and AI-assisted surveillance are playing a larger role.
As the Kulgam encounter operation drags on, it highlights the need for innovation in terrain-specific warfare. The Indian Army’s Northern Command recently mandated that all forces operating in forest zones undergo simulation-based training in stealth, surveillance, and coordinated pursuit.
The use of drones to track movement, thermal sensors to detect body heat in thick vegetation, and AI-assisted data mapping has increasingly defined this new age of counter-terrorism. The use of drone footage in the Kulgam standoff has already helped identify enemy positions and guide firing strategies.
The terrain remains a formidable adversary. The Akhal forest is known for its rocky ridges, sharp inclines, and thick coniferous cover, creating multiple blind spots even for seasoned commandos. It is this very complexity that the foreign terrorists have weaponized, prolonging the Kulgam encounter operation into one of the most intense face-offs this year.
Anticipating the Next Phase
- The operation is expected to conclude within 72 hours, per police estimates.
- Cross-border infiltration remains the biggest risk heading into September.
Security officials estimate that the Kulgam encounter operation could wrap up within the next 72 hours, depending on weather conditions and visibility. However, a senior Army officer involved in the operation noted that “there will be no haste,” emphasizing the importance of recovering both bodies and weapons to ascertain foreign linkages.
Meanwhile, authorities remain on alert along the Line of Control. With August marking the peak of the infiltration season, forces expect more incursions in coming weeks. Intelligence units have flagged potential routes near Kupwara and Rajouri where terrorist movement has increased.
The government’s posture remains aggressive but calibrated. In a press statement last month, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated that India will continue its “zero-tolerance” policy against terrorism, with a strategic focus on technology-driven surveillance and preemptive action.
The Kulgam encounter operation may soon reach its physical end, but it is part of a deeper shift in how India intends to handle terrorism in its most volatile region—less reaction, more precision, and total denial of safe havens.
Endgame in Akhal: No Room for Complacency
The gunfire may soon fade in the Akhal forest, but the implications of the Kulgam encounter operation are far-reaching. It exemplifies a new kind of asymmetric warfare, where dense terrains, well-trained foreign fighters, and technological superiority all converge.
India’s security forces have demonstrated resilience, strategy, and adaptability in the face of guerrilla resistance. But each prolonged operation reminds policymakers and military planners of the need to accelerate training, upgrade surveillance, and refine real-time decision-making tools.
As the valley watches, the Kulgam encounter operation remains both a battlefield engagement and a strategic case study. What unfolds in these forests over the next few days will shape not just the local security dynamics but also India’s broader counter-terror doctrine for months to come.
