Army officer among 2 killed in IED explosion along LoC in J&K's Akhnoor

Rajouri, Feb 11: An Indian Army Captain and a Naik were killed in an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion that occurred along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keri Battal area of Akhnoor sector.

The Army has launched massive searches after dominating the area both on the LoC and immediate hinterland.

As per officials, an Army patrolling team was on its routine task on the LoC at a forward location in the Laleali area of Keri Battal of the Akhnoor sector.

The area falls under the Khour Police Station of Jammu’s Akhnoor subdivision.

While the Army’s patrolling team was on a routine move at a forward location, a powerful explosion took place which is suspected to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

In this explosion that rocked the entire area and is believed to have been caused by an IED, many Army personnel sustained injuries, and all were later evacuated from the site and taken to the nearest Army medical facility where two of the injured succumbed to injuries.

The killed Army personnel included Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and a Naik Mukesh of the Army Battalion deployed on the LoC.

Official sources considering this to be a serious incident said that an IED planted by a Border Action Team (BAT) from across the border is believed to be the cause of this explosion.

Indian Army’s Northern Command in its official statement issued a formal statement saying, “Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander Northern Command, and all ranks of Dhruva Command (Northern Command) solemnly salute the supreme sacrifice of bravehearts Capt Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh in a suspected IED blast in Akhnoor.”

The Army said that Dhruva Command stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.

On the other hand, the Indian Army has cordoned off the area and launched massive searches.

“Our troops are dominating the area and search operations are underway. White Knight Corps salutes and pays tribute to the supreme sacrifice of two gallant soldiers,” a statement of the Army’s White Knight Corps said.