In News:

Operation Akhal is a high-intensity counter-terrorism operation being conducted in the AkhalKhulsan forest area of Kulgam district, Jammu & Kashmir. Launched jointly by the Indian Army’s Chinar Corps, the J&K Police, and the Special Operations Group (SOG), the operation reflects India’s continued strategy to dismantle terror networks in the Union Territory.

Objectives

• Neutralize 3–5 terrorists based on intelligence inputs.
• Curb the activities of local terror modules.
• Strengthen internal security in South Kashmir.
• Disrupt associated networks of hawala funding, drug smuggling, and Overground Workers (OGWs).

Key Features

• Nature of Operation: Involves intermittent but calibrated firefights in dense forest terrain, supported by drone surveillance and reinforcements.
• Extended Duration: The operation has continued for several days, indicating the presence of multiple terrorists offering strong resistance.
• Casualties:
  • At least three unidentified terrorists have been neutralized.
  • Two soldiers — Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh — succumbed to injuries sustained in the encounter, highlighting the intensity of the conflict.
• Security Measures: Strict cordon around suspected hideouts, enhanced surveillance, and troop deployment to block escape routes.

Broader Context

• Operation Akhal is part of a post-Pahalgam crackdown on terror groups and their ecosystem in South Kashmir.
• Reflects India’s evolving counter-terror strategy combining ground operations, intelligence-based targeting, and crackdown on financial/logistical support systems.