An encounter initiated on August 1, 2025, in the Akhal forest area of Devsar, Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir, between security forces and militants. The operation, dubbed "Operation Akhal," is a joint effort involving the Indian Army, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and the Jammu and Kashmir Police.

The operation was launched following intelligence inputs regarding the presence of militants in the dense Akhal forest region. Security forces cordoned off the area and initiated a search operation. During the search, contact was established with militants, leading to an exchange of fire.

Initial reports suggest that two to three heavily armed Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) operatives are trapped and engaged in a gunfight with the security personnel. The area has been cordoned off to prevent the militants' escape and to ensure the safety of civilians in nearby villages. Reinforcements have been rushed to the area.

The Chinar Corps confirmed the ongoing operation in a post on social media platform X. The Kashmir Zone Police also acknowledged the encounter, stating that the SOG (Special Operations Group), J&K Police, Army, and CRPF are on the job.

This operation follows a series of security operations in Jammu and Kashmir, including those in the wake of the Pahalgam attack and Operation Sindoor. It also comes amidst Operation Mahadev, a counter-terrorism crackdown in which three terrorists involved in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack were killed earlier in the week.

Authorities suspect that the militants involved in the gunfight may be foreign nationals. The ongoing operation highlights the persistent threat posed by terror outfits in the Kashmir Valley. Security forces are maintaining heightened vigilance in the region. Further details are awaited as the encounter progresses.