Kulgam Encounter: One Militant Killed, JCO Injured; Search Operation Continues

New Delhi | Sept 08, 2025 A terrorist was killed and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army injured during an ongoing encounter in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday morning. According to officials, the gunfight broke out in the Gudar forest after security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on intelligence inputs about the presence of militants in the area. “Alert troops noticed suspicious movement and challenged the suspects. Terrorists opened fire, triggering a fierce exchange. One militant was neutralised while a JCO sustained injuries,” the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter). The operation is being jointly conducted by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). Security personnel remain deployed in the forest, and the search is continuing to ensure no more terrorists are hiding in the region. Recent Kulgam Operations This latest encounter comes just weeks after one of the longest counter-terrorism operations in the Valley. In August, security forces engaged militants in Kulgam for nearly eight days in dense forests, making it one of the most challenging missions in recent years. During that operation, senior officials, including Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat and Army’s Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, closely monitored developments. Drones, helicopters, and Para commandos were deployed to track and eliminate the hiding terrorists. Eventually, two militants were killed in the Akhal forest area after multiple exchanges of fire. The operation highlighted the difficulties faced by forces in the thickly forested terrain of South Kashmir, where militants often use natural cover to evade detection. Troops had to strengthen the cordon overnight and bring in additional reinforcements before resuming the operation at daybreak. Current Situation in Gudar Forest In Monday’s gunfight, security has been tightened in the region as additional reinforcements are on standby. Officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the slain terrorist. The encounter underscores the continued threat of militancy in South Kashmir despite intensified counter-terror operations. With forces maintaining high vigilance, operations like the one in Kulgam’s Gudar forest are part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks in the Valley. Kulgam Encounter: One Terrorist Killed, JCO Injured A terrorist was killed and a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) injured during an encounter in Kulgam’s Gudar forest on Monday morning. Security forces launched a search operation after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists. The situation escalated when militants opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle. The operation is being carried out jointly by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF. Additional reinforcements have been deployed, and the search continues to ensure no more militants are hiding in the area. Authorities remain on high alert as counter-terror efforts intensify in South Kashmir.