Kulgam operation ends in major setback for Indian forces

KULGAM (Dunya News) – A 12-day-long military operation in the Kulgam district has turned into one of the longest and most humiliating standoffs for Indian forces in recent times, ending in a strategic failure and killing of nine Indian soldiers.

According to reports, at least 9 Indian soldiers were killed, and 14 others, including a colonel, were seriously injured during the operation.

Despite deploying helicopters, drones, and heavy firepower, Indian forces failed to contain or capture the Kashmiri resistance fighters.

The militants reportedly managed to break the siege and escape into the surrounding forests, according to Indian security sources quoted by the Kashmir News Observer.

In a chilling account from the battlefield, an Indian soldier in a final message reportedly said, "We haven’t had food or water for five days. Soldiers are surviving by eating mud." This stark testimony highlights the severity of the logistical and morale crisis within the Indian ranks during the operation.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference reacted strongly, calling the operation “the biggest recent embarrassment for the Indian army.” They accused the Modi government of orchestrating high-profile military actions to distract from its political failures and suppress the Kashmiri people through “puppet operations.”

Despite the high casualties and use of advanced surveillance, Indian forces were ultimately forced to withdraw empty-handed, further fueling criticism of the operation’s planning and execution.

The Kulgam incident underscores the ongoing tension and resistance in Indian-occupied Kashmir and poses serious questions about the effectiveness of New Delhi’s military strategy in the region.