In Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, a joint operation by the Jammu and Kashmir Police's Special Operations Group (SOG), the Indian Army, and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) resulted in the elimination of one terrorist in the Akhal forest area of Devsar. The operation, named 'Operation Akhal', was launched on Friday following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of terrorists in the dense forest region.

The encounter began when the hiding militants fired upon the security forces, who were conducting a cordon and search operation. The forces retaliated, resulting in an intense exchange of fire that continued throughout the night. Alert troops responded with calibrated fire, tightening the noose while maintaining contact. As of Saturday morning, one terrorist had been neutralized.

The Army's Chinar Corps confirmed the development in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating that one terrorist had been neutralized and that the operation was ongoing. Preliminary reports suggest that two more militants remain trapped in the area, and the operation is continuing into its second day.

This encounter is part of a larger counterterrorism campaign, "Operation Mahadev," launched by Indian paramilitary forces in the region. Earlier in the week, security forces eliminated three terrorists responsible for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed that the slain militants were senior members of the Pakistan-based banned group Lashkar-e-Taiba, with one of them, Suleiman, identified as the mastermind behind the Pahalgam attack.

Indian security agencies have intensified their efforts across Jammu and Kashmir. Just days before the Kulgam encounter, security forces foiled an infiltration attempt along the Line of Control (LoC).