Were Two Army Soldiers Martyred in a Lengthy J&K Anti-Terror Operation?

Srinagar, Aug 9 (NationPress) In a tragic turn of events, two Indian Army soldiers have been killed and two more have sustained injuries during a prolonged anti-terror operation in the Akhal Devsar forest region of Kulgam district, which has now entered its ninth day.

An official Army spokesperson reported, "Two Army soldiers have lost their lives and two additional soldiers were wounded as the gunfire exchange between terrorists and security forces persisted throughout the night, marking the ninth day of the confrontation in the Akhal forest region of South Kashmir.'

Late last night, four Army personnel were injured due to intense gunfire.

Sadly, two of the four injured soldiers later succumbed to their injuries. The fallen soldiers have been identified as Constable Harminder Singh and Lance Naik Preetpal Singh, both serving in the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (RR).

In a statement on social media, the Army's Chinar Corps expressed, "Chinar Corps pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of our Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, who served their nation with honor.

“Their valor and commitment will continually inspire us. The Indian Army extends its heartfelt condolences and stands firmly with the families of the fallen soldiers.”

This operation has become the longest ongoing anti-terror effort in the region, now in its ninth day.

On the initial night of the conflict last Friday, one local terrorist was eliminated, and four Army personnel were injured.

Authorities have indicated that, due to the vast and dense forest terrain, the operation may continue for an extended period.

This ongoing anti-terror operation in J&K is the longest in the past two decades, with J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat closely overseeing the operation alongside the Army and the CRPF.

He has made five visits to the area as of Friday.

Joint forces, including the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police, initiated Cordon & Search Operations in the area last Friday.

The Army has deployed Rudra helicopters, drones, and Para commandos to prevent the terrorists from escaping.

Security forces have been actively engaged in operations against these militants while the Army maintains heightened vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K.

As part of these aggressive operations, three notorious Pakistani terrorists, responsible for the deadly April 22 Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 lives, have been neutralized.

These include LeT commander Suleman Shah and his two associates, Abu Hamza and Jibran Bhai, who were eliminated on July 28 in the upper reaches of Dachigam national park, near Mahadev mountain peak in the Harwan area of Srinagar.

This operation has been designated as ‘Operation Mahadev’.

Following the Pahalgam attack, security forces have intensified their anti-terror operations targeting armed militants, their associates, and sympathizers.

Additionally, drug traffickers are also under scrutiny since the funds generated through illegal drug trade are believed to support terrorism in J&K.

The coordinated, intelligence-driven actions by the joint forces aim to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terrorism in J&K rather than focusing solely on eliminating armed militants.