Srinagar, April 12: An Army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in action during a fierce gunfight with infiltrating terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector of Jammu region, while security forces successfully thwarted the infiltration attempt, officials said.
The encounter took place in the Keri-Battal area of the Sunderbani sub-sector on the night of April 11, when alert troops suspected movement near the LoC and swiftly launched a counter-infiltration operation.
Subedar Kuldeep Chand of the 9 Punjab Regiment sustained fatal injuries while leading his team in the gunbattle.
Army spokesman said, General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS and All Ranks of Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Subedar Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty in Sunderbani.
Indian Army extends condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.
The Army spokesman said that braveheart Subedar Kuldeep Chand, who laid down his life while gallantly leading a Counter Infiltration operation along the LoC in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of 11 Apr 2025.
“His team’s valour and Sub Kuldeep’s ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists,” he said.
Meanwhile, later in the evening, a wreath-laying ceremony was held on Saturday in Akhnoor to honour the fallen soldier, with senior Army officials, comrades, and local residents paying heartfelt tributes.
In a parallel operation in the snow-bound upper reaches of Kishtwar district, security forces eliminated three Pakistani terrorists over the past two days.
The joint operation, which began on April 9 in the Chhatru area, was carried out by the Indian Army, J&K Police, and CRPF.
Army’s White Knight Corps posted on X that despite inclement weather, two more Pakistani terrorists were neutralised today. A cache of arms and war-like stores, including an AK-47 and an M4 rifle, were recovered,” he said.
The first terrorist was killed on Friday, and the operation remains ongoing, with more militants believed to be trapped in the area.
Addressing the joint press Conference in Jammu, Brigadier JBS Rathi, Commander of 5 Sector Assam Rifles alongwith police said that role of real-time surveillance in the success of the operation.
“UAVs and drones were deployed to track terrorists movement. Special Forces were airlifted with support from the Indian Air Force, demonstrating a high level of coordination among all security agencies,” he said.
He also praised the synergy between the Army, J&K Police, and the Special Operations Group (SOG), calling it a model of joint operations in challenging terrain.
Director General of the Kishtwar-Doda-Ramban range, Shridhar Patil, reiterated the security forces’ determination to eliminate terrorism from the region.
“Operations will continue until all terrorists are neutralised. We are receiving full support from the local population, which boosts the morale of our forces,” he said.
The operation in Kishtwar has now entered its fourth day, with tight cordons maintained in suspected hideout zones.
In the backdrop of increasing infiltration attempts, senior Army commanders, including the GOC of White Knight Corps and the GOC of Ace of Spades Division, visited forward areas in Krishna Ghati, Bhimber Gali, and Naushera to assess operational preparedness.
They lauded troops for their vigilance and professionalism and urged all ranks to maintain the highest standards of readiness in light of the evolving threat landscape.
The recent developments follow a deadly encounter in Kathua on March 28, where four police personnel were killed, and two terrorists were neutralised. Intelligence inputs suggest that Kathua is becoming a preferred infiltration corridor for Pakistan-based terrorists seeking to move toward Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and eventually the Kashmir Valley.
Security agencies have since stepped up surveillance in the region, deploying additional checkpoints and reconnaissance teams along vulnerable stretches.
LG pays tribute to martyr soldier
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid tributes to Army braveheart Subedar Kuldeep Chand, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani.
“I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army Braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Ceasefire violations escalate along LoC in 2025
Cross-border tensions have been rising in Jammu and Kashmir in recent months, with multiple ceasefire violations reported across the Line of Control (LoC), particularly in the Poonch district.
These incidents mark a notable departure from the relative calm that had prevailed since the February 2021 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan.
Feb 12: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by opening unprovoked fire. The Indian Army responded effectively, with indications that the firing may have been intended to facilitate infiltration attempts ahead of the summer season.
Feb 13 – Krishna Ghati Sector, Poonch: A second consecutive violation was reported, involving unprovoked firing from Pakistani positions. The Indian response reportedly caused heavy casualties across the border, though figures remain unconfirmed.
On Feb 16 – Poonch Sector: Pakistani troops fired small arms at an Indian Army post around 11 am. No casualties were reported on the Indian side.
On Apr 1 – Krishna Ghati Sector, Poonch: Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire again, using a combination of gunfire and a mine explosion. The Indian Army’s Nangi Tekri Battalion thwarted an apparent infiltration attempt under the cover of fire.
On Apr 2 – Krishna Ghati Sector: Firing from Pakistani positions, continuing the pattern of aggression. Indian troops retaliated, though the outcome remains unclear.
