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Soldier killed in lightning strike in J&K’s Baramulla
Rifleman Lokendra Singh, 30, was deployed at a forward post along the LoC in Gulmarg Sector in north Kashmir, an army spokesperson said.
A lightning strike killed a soldier along the Line of Control (LoC) in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Sunday.
Rifleman Lokendra Singh, 30, was deployed at a forward post along the LoC in Gulmarg Sector in north Kashmir, an army spokesperson said.
Around 10.15pm on Saturday, he was struck by lightning while observing the enemy from a surveillance post, the official said. Singh sustained grievous injuries and was administered first aid at the post. He was then taken to a medical facility, where he was declared dead at 11.45 pm, he said. Meanwhile, the Army on Sunday paid tributes to the rifleman.
In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantonment, Corps Commander, Chinar Corps, Lt Gen ADS Aujla and all ranks paid homage to the soldier on behalf of the nation, the spokesperson said.
Singh had joined the Army in 2011 and belonged to Bhadrauli village of Bah Tehsil, Agra in Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his wife, two children, the spokesperson said.
“The mortal remains of Rifleman Lokendra Singh are being taken for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours,” the spokesperson said.
“In this hour of grief the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family and remains committed to their dignity and well-being,” he said.
2 soldiers injured in landmine explosion in J&K’s Poonch
The landmine, part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, went off when the soldiers were busy extinguishing a forest fire in Balakote area, they said. The injured personnel were taken to a hospital, they said.
The cause of the fire is not known immediately but fire incidents in forests across Jammu region have witnessed manifold increase due to the prevailing heatwave conditions and scant rainfall this season.
