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<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\nSRINAGAR\/LUDHIANA: Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, 28, and Sepoy Harminder Singh, 26 \u2014 both of Sikh Light Infantry and attached to 19 Rashtriya Rifles \u2014 were killed Saturday in an ongoing gunfight with Pakistan-trained terrorists in south Kashmir\u2019s Kulgam district as one of the valley\u2019s 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 \u2014 backed by drones, helicopters and para commandos \u2014 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 \u2014 three in Kashmir valley and 13 in Jammu division, including three from Pakistani firing during the standoff following Operation Sindoor.Army\u2019s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said the two soldiers from Punjab \u201cfell in the line of duty\u201d. \u201cIndian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families,\u201d 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 \u2014 two of his uncles served in uniform.\u201cWe got a call at 5.30am saying he was wounded, and then another an hour later saying he died fighting terrorists,\u201d 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\u2019s 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. \u201cHe had told me that he would take care of all the arrangements for my daughter\u2019s wedding in Oct. \u2018Don\u2019t worry,\u2019 he assured,\u201d said his uncle Harbans Singh, adding the family had planned to arrange Harminder\u2019s wedding next.\u201cThey are living in abject poverty. Harminder\u2019s father Jaswant is landless and works as a labourer. He was their lone hope.\u201d 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: \u201cTheir valour, grit and determination will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.\u201dNorthern 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)<\/div>\n