Villagers in Kulgam Seek Urgent Relocation Amid Longest Anti-Terror Operation of the Year

Srinagar: In Kulgam’s Akhal village, an unrelenting anti-terror operation, now in its seventh consecutive day, has left residents pleading for relocation due to mounting distress, scarcity of essentials, and sleepless nights.

Locals say the constant gunfire and explosions have disrupted their lives entirely. Mubarak Khanday, who lives near the encounter zone, voiced the community’s ordeal: “We have been facing severe difficulties for the past seven days. Firing and bombs go on during the night. There is a shortage of ration in our homes now.”

Khanday added that the persistent violence has instilled deep fear, especially among women and children, and has even triggered psychological strain. “We have not slept for seven days. Children are awake, and they cry. There is a shortage of medicine and rations,” he stressed.

He also drew attention to the plight of the nomadic Gujjar community, who, like local villagers, have exhausted their stock of food grains. “The Gujjar people called us... they have no ration,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to the village authorities for their assistance, Khanday noted that even their resources are running dry. “The numberdar was giving ration to people from his home, but now he too is facing a shortage,” he explained

Sheikh Mehboob, another village official, appealed to authorities to ensure drinking water and medicines reach the area. “We are facing a shortage of water and medicines. We request that the Public Health Engineering department arrange water for us. While the security forces are doing their job, the ongoing firing is causing problems for the elderly and children,” Mehboob remarked. He thanked the deputy commissioner and the SSP for arranging an ambulance for emergencies.

Resident Sheeraza Akhtar urged immediate intervention from Kulgam’s deputy commissioner. “We appeal to the deputy commissioner. We are poor and are facing shortages. Please help us as we are facing so many problems. Many people have left, and some houses are empty. Please relocate us from here,” she pleaded.

The counter-terror operation began on August 1 after intelligence reports indicated a terrorist presence in Akhal’s dense forests. So far, two terrorists have been killed, while several security personnel have been injured. Security forces have deployed advanced surveillance tools, including drones, thermal imagers, and helicopters, to locate militants in the rugged terrain.

This operation is the lengthiest of its kind in the Kashmir Valley this year, and its prolonged nature has caused unprecedented civilian hardship, leaving many caught in a grim limbo between conflict and survival.