Srinagar, Oct 13: Four terrorists, including a Pakistani national believed to be a senior commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba, were killed in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The incident occurred in the Nagi Takri area of the Krishna Ghati sector while a group of terrorists was attempting to infiltrate Indian territory from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). Indian Army soldiers had previously detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of the Mendhar sector.
According to officials, these mines were detected during a search operation at 8:25 AM and 12:10 PM and were subsequently neutralized. This has raised suspicions that the terrorists may have lost their lives due to a bomb they had planted themselves.
Identity of the killed terrorists
According to reports, the deceased terrorists have been identified as Muhammad Ishtiyaq, Muhammad Faizan, Muhammad Waqas, and Muhammad Asim. Faizan is said to be a top commander of Lashkar-e-Taiba. All four individuals were residents of the Mandala and Madarpur areas in the Hajira Tehsil of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Following the incident, a security alert was issued in the Krishna Ghati sector, and surveillance was intensified in sensitive areas along the Line of Control. Meanwhile, two rusted landmines were discovered near the border fence in the Basoni area of the Mendhar sector; army experts subsequently destroyed them through controlled explosions.
According to reports, the explosion occurred on Monday in the Satwal-Naki area of the Krishna Ghati sector. Officials stated that infiltration attempts have previously taken place in the Satwal-Naki area. In recent years, terrorists have attempted to cross the Indian border via this route.
Security agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the explosion. Similar incidents have occurred in this area in the past. According to officials, six to seven members of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) have previously died in similar circumstances. Following the latest incident, security forces have issued an alert across the sector. Surveillance along the Line of Control has been stepped up to prevent any further infiltration attempts and to review security arrangements in the area. Meanwhile, Indian Army soldiers discovered two old landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of the Mendhar sector on Monday. Officials stated that the mines were found during road construction work at 8:25 AM and 12:10 PM. Army experts subsequently destroyed both mines through controlled explosions. Over the past week, the Army has detected and neutralized approximately 12 landmines in this area.