Summary
- Two TRF terrorists have been killed and one remains trapped in the ongoing Operation Akhal encounter in the Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir.
- The joint operation is being conducted by the Indian Army, CRPF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, following intelligence inputs about TRF movement linked to the recent Pahalgam attack.
- Officials believe the terrorists are hiding in the forested belts of Akhal and Dachigam, prompting an intensified security crackdown.
Operation Akhal Encounter: A Tense Standoff in the Forested Valleys of Kulgam
A fierce gunfight unfolded in the dense forest stretch of Akhal Devsar in cand Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday as Indian security forces launched a major offensive under Operation Akhal encounter. This high-intensity operation targeted terrorists affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Triggered by specific intelligence inputs about terrorist movement in the region, security forces comprising the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police began a coordinated search-and-cordon mission early Friday morning. The TRF terrorists opened fire, initiating what has now become a prolonged encounter. Two militants have been neutralised so far, with one more believed to be holed up in the Akhal forest zone.
Officials have confirmed that the terrorists involved are part of the same cell responsible for the deadly Pahalgam attack that claimed multiple lives earlier this month. The Operation Akhal encounter follows closely on the heels of Operation Mahadev, which eliminated top TRF commander Suleiman Shah, alias Musa Fauji.
This unfolding saga marks another critical chapter in India’s ongoing counter-terror efforts in the volatile southern Kashmir Valley, where heavily forested terrain offers ideal hideouts for militant groups.
Operation AKHAL, Kulgam | 1 Terrorist Neutralised
— Greater jammu (@greater_jammu) August 2, 2025
Intermittent and intense firefight raged overnight as Indian Army troops maintained contact and closed in with precision. One terrorist has been eliminated so far in this ongoing operation.#OperationAKHAL #greaterjammu pic.twitter.com/ZUDmGkZIYM
Tactical Pressure Mounts as One Terrorist Remains at Large
- Intelligence sources estimate that five TRF operatives were active in the Akhal-Dachigam corridor
- Four have been eliminated in the last ten days under joint operations
The Operation Akhal encounter forms part of a larger campaign launched by Indian security forces to dismantle forest-based terror modules. This strategy, intensified after the Pahalgam ambush, is grounded in pinpointed surveillance enabled by drone and satellite tracking, combined with human intelligence gathered over several weeks.
Senior officials from the Jammu and Kashmir Police indicated that the last surviving TRF terrorist is suspected to be hiding in the Dachigam National Park region. Given the topography and dense vegetation, the operation has expanded beyond Akhal to adjacent areas. Security cordons have been laid across key forest exits, and thermal imaging equipment has been deployed.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), there has been a 30% spike in forest-based hideout activity in South Kashmir in 2025, prompting a recalibration of operational tactics. The Operation Akhal encounter is the latest manifestation of this shift, reflecting both the evolving militant strategy and the security forces’ dynamic response.
Unraveling the TRF’s Operational Blueprint
- TRF has been responsible for over 40% of targeted attacks in South Kashmir in the past year
- The group functions as a hybrid cell network, receiving directives from across the border
The Resistance Front, though lesser-known internationally, has rapidly emerged as a formidable proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba. Designed to operate in smaller, harder-to-detect cells, the group relies on local recruits trained in guerrilla warfare. As per a recent National Investigation Agency (NIA) dossier, TRF cadres often avoid prolonged firefights, preferring ambushes and swift strikes before retreating into dense terrain.
The Operation Akhal encounter is especially significant in this context. It not only disrupts a key TRF operational hub but also neutralises links in a wider chain connecting cross-border handlers to ground operatives.
Security officials believe that the terrorists neutralised in Akhal were tasked with establishing a new logistics route between Kulgam and Dachigam, enabling faster movement of arms and operatives. Arms recovered during Operation Mahadev, including an M4 carbine and 17 grenades, are believed to have been part of this network.
The Ministry of Defence also revealed that multiple intercepts from TRF handlers across the border were traced to the Pahalgam cell, corroborating the group’s direct role in the recent spate of attacks.
Regional Implications and Counter-Terror Roadmap
- Operation Akhal is part of a broader security reorientation focusing on forest and rural terror zones
- Emphasis has shifted from urban counter-insurgency to adaptive warfare in low-visibility terrain
The success of the Operation Akhal encounter could mark a turning point in India’s anti-terror strategy in Kashmir. For years, counter-insurgency forces focused on urban and semi-urban hubs, where militant activities were more visible. However, the rise of forest-based hideouts has prompted a shift to eco-sensitive yet high-risk zones.
The Indian Army’s 15 Corps has developed terrain-adapted protocols, and its coordination with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and local police units has been notably enhanced. As part of Operation Akhal encounter, new-generation reconnaissance drones and ground-penetrating radar systems have been deployed for better tactical visibility in thick forest zones.
There is also increasing political and diplomatic pressure to address cross-border infiltration. While Pakistan continues to deny involvement, Indian intelligence agencies have submitted evidence of encrypted communications between the TRF and Lashkar command units operating from across the Line of Control (LoC).
A recent parliamentary statement by the Ministry of External Affairs underlined India’s intent to “neutralise threats at their source,” a possible hint at proactive cross-border posturing. If sustained, such policy momentum could redefine India’s Kashmir strategy.
A Protracted Fight with a Broader Message
- Army sources confirm the operation will continue until full sanitisation of the Akhal-Dachigam corridor
- Public sentiment in Kulgam reflects cautious support for security efforts, amidst fear of reprisals
The Operation Akhal encounter is not merely a tactical battle; it is a symbolic assertion of state control over a region often caught between geopolitics and ground realities. For residents of Kulgam, the gunfire is a grim reminder of their precarious proximity to conflict.
Local police, in coordination with community leaders, have been tasked with ensuring that misinformation does not spread. Internet services in some parts of South Kashmir have been suspended as a precautionary measure.
While security officials maintain that no civilian casualties have occurred in Operation Akhal encounter, humanitarian agencies have raised concerns about restricted movement and access to essential services in surrounding villages. The Red Cross has issued a temporary alert for non-governmental personnel operating in the area.
On the military front, however, morale remains high. Army officers in the region have lauded the “surgical precision” of the ongoing operation, noting that actionable intelligence and coordinated planning have minimised collateral damage while maximising strategic gains.
Anticipating the Next Phase of Anti-Terror Strategy
- Security agencies now prioritise a preventive model involving community intelligence and early detection
- 2026 operations may include transborder diplomatic escalations depending on infiltration patterns
As Operation Akhal encounter nears its final stages, attention is already shifting to long-term implications. Will the lessons from Akhal and Mahadev push India to invest more in hybrid warfare capability? Will diplomatic pressure finally force international focus on the Lashkar-backed proxy model?
Defence analysts argue that such operations highlight the importance of pre-emptive intelligence architecture. India’s Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) is reportedly working on a new counter-infiltration grid based on AI-powered movement prediction and biometric profiling at entry zones.
In a recent address, the Home Minister stated, “We will not allow South Kashmir to be turned into a launchpad for Pakistan-backed terror proxies. The momentum gained from operations like Akhal will be sustained through layered defence and offensive strategy.”
Whether Operation Akhal encounter becomes a model for future missions will depend not only on how it concludes but also on how its intelligence insights are translated into policy.
Final Word
The Operation Akhal encounter encapsulates the evolving face of counter-terrorism in Kashmir—one that is no longer restricted to the cityscapes or border posts but is now deeply embedded in forest belts and rural nodes. The mission’s significance lies not just in the number of terrorists neutralised, but in the disruption of a deep-rooted proxy network and its future capabilities.
As Indian security forces continue their sweep of the Akhal-Dachigam corridor, the encounter stands as a reminder that even as terrorism adapts, so too must counter-terror efforts—technologically, tactically, and territorially.
