Soldier injured in landmine explosion near LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: An Army jawan was injured in a landmine explosion along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday.

This is the fourth such incident since Jan 14, when at least six soldiers sustained injuries in a landmine blast near the LoC in the Nowshera sector of Jammu’s Rajouri district.

The blast occurred at 10.50 am in the forward area of Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar, when the jawan accidentally stepped on a landmine during routine patrolling, sources said, adding that he was immediately airlifted to the command hospital at Udhampur.

On Jan 21, too, a soldier was injured in a landmine blast in Krishna Ghati sector.

As part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, the forward areas are dotted with landmines which sometimes get washed away by rains, resulting in such accidents, officials said.

On Feb 20, an Army rifleman, Mohd Asif Rather, who was part of a patrolling party, was injured in a similar accident in Balakote sector of Mendhar sub-division.

In another development, Army troops found a rusted mortal shell in Fazalabad village of Surankote area in Poonch district during area domination patrol on Saturday afternoon. The area was immediately cordoned off and the shell was safely defused, officials said.


Stay informed with the latest India news, updates on public holidays, and bank holidays in March.