IED blast in Jammu: Two Army personnel, including an officer, were killed and another was injured today ( February 11), when an improvised explosive device (IED), believed to have been planted by terrorists, exploded near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir, said officials.
The officials said the troops were on patrolling duty when they were hit by the powerful explosion near a forward post in the Bhattal area at around 3:50 pm. Following the explosion, security forces swiftly cordoned off the area. Officials confirmed that the injured soldiers were rushed to a hospital, where two of them, including the captain, succumbed to their injuries, they said, adding that the condition of the other injured soldier is “out of danger”.
White Knight Corps pays tribute
In an X post, the White Knight Corps said that the troops are dominating the area and search operations are underway. “Suspected Improvised Explosive Device blast reported in Laleali in Akhnoor Sector during a fence patrol reportedly resulting in two fatalities. Own troops are dominating the area and search operations are underway. White Knight Corps salutes and pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of two gallant soldiers,” it said.
Third incident of cross-border action by terrorists
This marked the third instance of cross-border terrorist activity in the Jammu region within four days. The incident occurred a day after Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, General Officer Commanding of the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, reviewed “hostile activities” along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district.
On Monday, a soldier was hit by a bullet from across the border while manning a forward post in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector in Rajouri district, while on February 8, an Army patrol came under terrorist fire from a forest across the LoC in Rajouri’s Keri sector. The terrorists were apparently waiting for an opportunity to sneak into the Indian side.
The Indian troops had also fired a few rounds in retaliation and subsequently, the anti-infiltration grid was strengthened to keep a tight vigil in the area.
“GOC White Knight Corps, along with GOC Ace of Spades and GOC Crossed Swords divisions, visited forward areas of the Rajouri sector for an operational update on the prevailing security situation and the hostile activities,” the Army had said in a post on X.
The post, shared by the White Knight Corps on its official social media handles, said the corps commander complimented all ranks for their vigil and relentless operational focus. He also urged them to remain prepared for all contingencies, the Army had said.
On the intervening night of February 4 and February 5, a land mine explosion reportedly resulted in some casualties to terrorists attempting to infiltrate into the Indian side from across the LoC in the Krishna Ghati sector of the Poonch district. However, there was no official word about the possible terrorist casualties in the blast.
(With PTI inputs)
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