4 suspected infiltrators killed in landmine blast along LoC in J&K's Poonch

The deceased were identified as JKLF Poonch president Faizan Sagheer, Ishtiaq, Asim Rafiq, and Waqas Sharif.

At least four men, purportedly infiltrators, were reportedly killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati (KG) sector of Poonch district on Monday, said people familiar with the development.

Security personnel stand guard along the Rajouri-Poonch National Highway in file photo. (ANI)

“A group of four infiltrators was reportedly eliminated in a powerful IED blast in Salotri area near Nangi Tekri along the LoC in Poonch sector on Monday afternoon,” official sources told HT.

The area is being manned by soldiers of the 7 Jat Regiment.

It may be stated here that Salotri and Nangi Tekri areas have remained a traditional route of infiltration for Pakistani terrorists, from where the Pakistan army’s border action teams (BATs) also tried to stage attacks in the past.

“The suspected infiltrators were trying to infiltrate into Indian Territory in the Nangi Tekri area when they stepped over a minefield that triggered a blast, killing them on the spot,” they added.

Pakistan media handles' claims

While the Indian Army hasn’t yet issued any statement on the incident, some Pakistan media handles on X claimed that four men were killed in a landmine explosion in Mahandala village, Hajira, near the Line of Control (LoC), while repairing a spring-water pipeline.

The deceased were identified as JKLF Poonch president Faizan Sagheer, Ishtiaq, Asim Rafiq, and Waqas Sharif, all residents of Mandla, in Tehsil Hajira, district Poonch (PoJK).

Border between India and Pakistan

The forward areas along the de facto border between India and Pakistan are heavily mined as part of the anti-infiltration obstacle system to ward off intruders, including terrorists and Pak army regulars. However, heavy rainfall can sometimes wash away the landmines, causing them to surface in areas where they may pose a potential risk.

It also remained unclear whether the group comprised suspected terrorists attempting to cross the LoC, or Pakistan security personnel patrolling the area.

Following the landmine explosion, security forces sounded an alert across the sector and intensified vigilance along the LoC to assess the situation and prevent any possible security breach.