Two terrorists have been killed in the ongoing counter-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Saturday, officials said. The encounter is part of Operation Akhal, launched following intelligence inputs about terrorists linked to the recent Pahalgam attack.
The encounter began when security forces launched a joint cordon and search operation in the forest area at Akhal in the South Kashmir district, following a credible lead about the presence of some terrorists in the area.
After an initial exchange of fire between the two sides on Friday evening, the operation was paused for the night, the officials said. Firing resumed on Saturday morning, during which two terrorists were killed, the officials said.
The terrorists are affiliated with The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), officials confirmed, adding that the operation is still underway.
As per the Valley-based Chinar Corps, the gunfight occurred when hiding terrorists opened fire on the security forces during a search operation.
This fresh gunfight follows closely on the heels of Operation Mahadev, during which three Pakistani TRF terrorists were eliminated.
Among those killed was top Lashkar commander Suleiman Shah, also known as Musa Fauji, who was identified as the key conspirator behind the Pahalgam attack. Security forces recovered a significant cache of arms from their hideout, including 17 grenades, an M4 carbine and two AK-47 rifles.
According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, all three terrorists killed in OP Mahadev were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack.
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