Rudra attack helicopter deployed as encounter in Kulgam enters day 4

Danishwar Hameed 

The Indian Army has deployed its HAL Rudra attack helicopter, armed with a 20mm turret gun, to provide close air support in the ongoing anti-militancy operation in the dense forests of Akhal in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.

The operation, now in its fourth straight day, continues amid intense gunfire and multiple loud blasts heard through the night.

Since Friday, security forces have been engaged in a fierce encounter with militants holed up in the forested region. So far, one militant has been killed, while six soldiers have sustained injuries in the prolonged exchange of fire.

The operation is unfolding in difficult terrain, with thick forest cover hampering movement and surveillance.

To navigate these challenges, the Army has also deployed advanced drones, high-tech surveillance equipment, and elite Para forces trained in jungle warfare

Officials told that the government forces have widened the cordon around suspected militant hideouts, tightening the perimeter to prevent any possible escape.

Senior police and Army officers remain on the ground, personally monitoring the high-risk operation as it enters a critical phase.