Four suspected Pakistani terrorists, including a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, were killed in a landmine explosion while allegedly attempting to infiltrate into India across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday, officials said.
The explosion occurred near Nangi Tekri in the Krishna Ghati sector, reportedly in the Satwal-Naki area, when the group attempted to cross from the Pakistan-controlled side of the LoC into Indian territory.
The deceased were identified as Mohammad Faizan, a senior LeT commander, Mohammad Waqas, Mohammad Ishtiaq and Mohammad Asim. All four were reportedly residents of the Hajira area of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
According to initial reports, the group triggered an explosive device positioned along the anti-infiltration grid, killing all four on the spot. The precise circumstances of the explosion were yet to be established.
๐๐น๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ ๐ถ๐ป๐ณ๐ถ๐น๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ
The powerful explosion was reported from the Satwal-Naki area, which security officials consider a traditional infiltration route along the LoC.
The sector has witnessed attempted crossings by militants in the past, prompting security forces to maintain extensive surveillance and anti-infiltration measures in the region.
Officials said the explosion occurred when the suspected infiltrators approached the heavily guarded border area. Initial reports suggested that a mine or improvised explosive device had detonated during their attempted movement.
Following the incident, security forces sounded an alert and intensified vigilance across the sector to prevent any possible breach of the LoC.
๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฐ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ฟ๐
The incident prompted security personnel to step up surveillance along vulnerable stretches of the LoC, particularly routes previously used for infiltration attempts.
Officials said the circumstances leading to the blast were being examined, while the security situation in the forward areas remained under close watch.
In a separate development on Monday, Army personnel detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of Mendhar sector.
The explosives were discovered during track construction at approximately 8.25 am and 12.10 pm. Army experts subsequently destroyed both devices through controlled explosions.
Forward areas along the LoC contain landmines as part of the anti-infiltration system. Officials said heavy rainfall can sometimes dislodge buried explosives, causing them to surface in unexpected locations and creating additional safety risks.
The latest incident comes amid continued efforts by security agencies to prevent infiltration by Pakistan-based militant groups into Jammu and Kashmir.