JAMMU, Feb 11: Two soldiers including an army captain were killed after an improvised explosive device (IED), suspected to have been planted by terrorists, went off along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector on Tuesday, said officials.
“Two Army personnel have been killed in the IED blast,” Defence PRO Suneel Bartwal told Rising Kashmir, adding, “No one else was injured.”
The Defence PRO confirmed the deaths of two Army jawans. “Our soldiers are in control of the area, and search operations are currently underway,” the spokesperson said.
Officials stated that the jawans were on a patrol when the powerful explosion struck near a forward post in the Bhattal area of Akhnoor, Jammu district, around 3:50 pm.
The White Knight Corps, also known as the XVI Corps, paid tribute to the fallen soldiers.
“The White Knight Corps salutes and honours the supreme sacrifice of two brave soldiers,” the Army said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
In the same post, the Army added that the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the White Knight Corps, along with the GOCs of the Ace of Spades and Crossed Swords divisions, visited the forward areas of the Rajouri sector to receive an operational update on the security situation and hostile activities.
The Corps Commander commended all ranks for their vigilance and unwavering operational focus, the Army said in the post.
LG pays tributes to soldiers
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tributes to Army bravehearts, who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Akhnoor Sector.
“I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army bravehearts who laid down their lives in the line of duty. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” the Lieutenant Governor said.