J&K: 2 soldiers killed as 9-day Kashmir gunfight grinds on

SRINAGAR/LUDHIANA: Lance Naik Pritpal Singh , 28, and Sepoy Harminder Singh , 26 — both of Sikh Light Infantry and attached to 19 Rashtriya Rifles — were killed Saturday in an ongoing gunfight with Pakistan-trained terrorists in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district as one of the valley’s longest counterterrorism operations in recent years stretched into its ninth day.

The counteroffensive, codenamed Operation Akhal , began Aug 1 in Akhal Khulsan forest on intelligence of three to five terrorists in the rain-lashed, rugged mountains. Army, paramilitary and J&K police units — backed by drones, helicopters and para commandos — have so far killed at least two terrorists and left about 10 security personnel wounded, according to sources.

The deaths took the toll of security personnel killed in operations in J&K this year to 16 — three in Kashmir valley and 13 in Jammu division, including three from Pakistani firing during the standoff following Operation Sindoor.

Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said the two soldiers from Punjab “fell in the line of duty”. “Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families,” it posted on X.

Pritpal from Manupur village in Khanna district was married Feb 24 and had returned to duty in April. He joined the Army in 2015 after clearing class 12, continuing a family tradition — two of his uncles served in uniform.

“We got a call at 5.30am saying he was wounded, and then another an hour later saying he died fighting terrorists,” said his elder brother Harpreet. His father Harbans said Pritpal last told him two days ago he was fine and would come home on leave at month’s end.

According to the Army, Pritpal was hit by splinters when a hiding terrorist threw a grenade at him. His body will be flown to Halwara air force station and taken by road to Manupur for cremation with full military honours.

Harminder from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district was the sole breadwinner for his parents and an ailing sister. He joined the Army eight years ago. “He had told me that he would take care of all the arrangements for my daughter’s wedding in Oct. ‘Don’t worry,’ he assured,” said his uncle Harbans Singh, adding the family had planned to arrange Harminder’s wedding next.

“They are living in abject poverty. Harminder’s father Jaswant is landless and works as a labourer. He was their lone hope.” His body is expected to reach his village Sunday for cremation.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah paid tributes at Chinar Corps HQ in Srinagar, while LG Manoj Sinha said: “Their valour, grit and determination will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.”

Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat have reviewed the operation on the ground. The seek-and-shoot sweep is part of an intensified crackdown after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Security forces have killed 14 terrorists in Kashmir zone this year, including three top Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives linked to the Pahalgam attack, slain in Srinagar on July 28.

(Inputs from Bharat Khanna in Fatehgarh Sahib)