Two Indian Army soldiers and two terrorists were killed in a fierce gunbattle in the Guddar forest of Kulgam district, south Kashmir, on Monday, 8 September 2025. The joint ambush operation, conducted by Indian Army, Jammu & Kashmir Police, and CRPF, was initiated after intelligence suggested the presence of terrorists.
Three soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), sustained serious injuries—two later died in hospital. The area remains under tight security as officials suspect one more militant may be hiding, with searches and surveillance ongoing in the dense terrain.
Joint Operation Sparks Heavy Casualties
At dawn on Monday, acting on a specific police tip-off, security forces launched ‘Operation Guddar’ to cordon off the targeted area in Kulgam. As the troops converged, terrorists fired indiscriminately, wounding three soldiers in an initial burst. The fallen included Subedar Perbhat Gaur and Lance Naik Narender Sindhu, whose dedication was lauded by Army officials.
The slain militants included both a local-reportedly linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba and active since 2023-and a suspected foreigner codenamed ‘Rehman Bhai’. Army’s Chinar Corps commemorated the soldiers’ “supreme sacrifice” and confirmed, “Operation continues”.
Encounter Sets Region on Alert
This latest firefight is part of a wider escalation in anti-militancy operations in south Kashmir, following last month’s eleven-day standoff in the Akhal forest, where both soldiers and terrorists were killed and several attackers managed to escape. The Kulgam incident has heightened vigilance, with para commandos and drone units sweeping the region.
No civilian casualties have been reported so far, but restrictions and traffic blockades remain in place to ensure local safety. Police officers stress that while two militants have been neutralised, the threat remains as at least one more individual may be hiding, based on intelligence inputs. The identification process for the slain militants is underway.
The Logical Indian Perspective
The Logical Indian believes that the mounting toll of such encounters underscores the urgent need for peace, dialogue, and a rejection of the cycle of violence. The bravery and sacrifices of Indian soldiers stand as a testament to their commitment, but sustainable harmony in Kashmir requires proactive efforts by all: officials, residents, and civil society.
In this difficult period, it is vital to extend empathy to bereaved families and empower community-led peace initiatives.
