SRINAGAR: An Indian Army soldier was killed and two others were injured on Friday in a landmine explosion along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said the blast occurred during an area domination patrol in the Krishna Ghati sector, a forward area known for frequent ceasefire violations and infiltration attempts. The explosion claimed the life of Agniveer Lalit Kumar of the 7 JAT Regiment, while two others, identified as Naib Subedar Hari Ram and Havaldar Gajendra Singh, sustained injuries.
The injured personnel, including the Junior Commissioned Officer, were rushed to a nearby military hospital and are reported to be in stable condition.
Confirming the casualty, the Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X (formerly Twitter): “GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Agniveer Lalit Kumar of 7 JAT Regiment, who made the supreme sacrifice while on an area domination patrol in the general area of Krishna Ghati brigade, following a mine blast. We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”
The landmine blast is suspected to have been triggered by an old anti-personnel mine buried in the area, a risk that persists along several stretches of the heavily militarised LoC.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed condolences. “I pay my heartfelt tribute to Agniveer Lalit Kumar, who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The nation stands firmly with them in this hour of grief,” he said in a statement.
The incident comes as a grim reminder of the dangers faced by soldiers patrolling the sensitive border zones, despite relative calm along the LoC since the reaffirmation of the 2003 ceasefire agreement in February 2021.
