Top Lashkar commander among 4 terrorists killed in mine blast while trying to infiltrate along LoC in J&K

Top Lashkar commander among 4 terrorists killed in mine blast while trying to infiltrate along LoC in J&K

In Short

• Top LeT commander Mohammad Faizan among the dead infiltrators
• IED blast earlier raised security alert in Satwal-Naki area
• Two rusted landmines found and destroyed in Mendhar sector

Four terrorists, including top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander Mohammad Faizan, were killed in a mine blast while attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Krishna Ghati sector, near Nangi Tekri.

The mines, planted as part of the anti-infiltration grid, exploded as the group attempted to cross the LoC, killing all four infiltrators on the spot. The other three terrorists were identified as Wakas, Ishtiaq and Asim.

The incident took place in Poonch district, where security forces have been maintaining heightened vigilance along the LoC to prevent infiltration attempts.

BLAST TRIGGERED SECURITY ALERT

The development follows an explosion reported earlier on Monday in the Satwal-Naki area near the zero line in the Krishna Ghati sector.

According to officials, a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) went off during the movement of a group of people along the Pakistan side of the LoC. At the time, casualties had been reported, but the exact number of people killed or injured was not immediately known.

Officials had said it was unclear whether the group comprised suspected terrorists attempting to cross the LoC or Pakistani security personnel patrolling the area. The circumstances leading to the explosion were also yet to be established.

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

TWO LANDMINES DESTROYED IN MENDHAR

In a separate development on Monday, Army troops detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of Mendhar sector.

The explosives were spotted during track construction at 8.25 am and 12.10 pm, respectively. Army experts later destroyed both devices in controlled explosions.

Around a dozen landmines have been detected and defused by the Army in the area over the past week.

WHY LANDMINES POSE A RISK ALONG THE LOC

Forward areas along the LoC are dotted with landmines as part of the anti-infiltration system. These explosives are intended to help prevent infiltration across the border.

However, heavy rainfall can sometimes wash away landmines, causing them to surface in areas where they could pose a potential risk. The discovery of the rusted explosives in Mendhar highlights the continuing challenge of monitoring such devices in forward areas.

- Ends
With PTI inputs