On August 2, 2025, security forces killed one terrorist in an ongoing anti-terror operation - Operation Akhal - in the Akhal forest area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district. The action began on August 1, when a joint team of the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police launched a cordon-and-search operation following specific intelligence inputs regarding militant presence .

Gunfire erupted during the search; as darkness fell, forces maintained contact through the night. Reinforcements were rushed in, and by morning, security officials confirmed that one terrorist had been neutralized, while two others remained trapped .

The slain militant is believed to be linked to The Resistance Front (TRF) and the recent Pahalgam terror attack, where multiple terrorists involved were eliminated weeks earlier during Operation Mahadev .

Operation Akhal marks the third major encounter in Kulgam within a week, underscoring intensified counter-terror efforts in the region . The operation continues as security forces work to neutralize remaining threats and dismantle militant hideouts.