An encounter initiated between terrorists and security forces in the Akhal forest area of Devsar in south Kashmir's Kulgam district. The operation began on Friday, August 1, 2025, following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the area.

A joint team comprising the police, Army, and CRPF launched a cordon and search operation. As the security forces were conducting the search, terrorists opened fire, triggering a gunfight.

This incident occurs shortly after a terror attack in Pahalgam. On Tuesday, April 23, 2025, a deadly attack on civilians in Kashmir resulted in at least 26 fatalities, mainly tourists, at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam. The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have launched a search operation in the general area of Baisran, Pahalgam, Anantnag, to apprehend those responsible for the attack.

In response to the Pahalgam attack, Anantnag Police announced a reward of ₹20 lakh for information leading to the capture of the terrorists involved. Security measures have been intensified across the region following these incidents. The recent rise in terrorist activities has raised concerns, especially after a period of relative calm following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The government is under pressure to ensure the safety and security of civilians, particularly tourists, in the region.

Recent reports indicate that security forces have been actively neutralizing terrorists involved in civilian killings in Jammu and Kashmir. According to officials, a significant percentage of youths who join terrorist ranks are killed within a year. This highlights the ongoing efforts by security forces to combat terrorism in the region.