Four Pakistani terrorists, including a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander, were killed in a landmine blast while allegedly attempting to infiltrate Indian territory across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Monday, October 12.
The powerful explosion occurred in the Satwal-Naki area of the Krishna Ghati sector when a group from the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) side allegedly attempted to cross into India, officials said. The circumstances that led to the blast are yet to be established.
The deceased terrorists have been identified as Muhammad Ishtiaq, Muhammad Faizan, Muhammad Waqas and Muhammad Asim. Officials said all four were residents of Mandla, Madarpur, in Tehsil Hajira of Poonch district in PoK. Faizan has been identified as a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander.
The incident prompted security forces to sound an alert across the sector and intensify surveillance along the LoC. Troops are monitoring the area to assess the situation and ensure that no further infiltration attempts go undetected.
Satwal-Naki: A traditional infiltration route
The Satwal-Naki area has historically been used as an infiltration route by terrorists attempting to enter Indian territory from Pakistan. Security forces have remained vigilant in the region because of repeated attempts to exploit routes along the LoC.
Officials also recalled a previous incident in the area in which six to seven members of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) were killed in a similar incident involving landmines.
The latest blast underscores the continuing security challenges faced by Indian forces along the border, where preventing infiltration remains a key operational priority.
Two landmines found in Mendhar, destroyed by Army
In a separate incident on Monday, Indian Army personnel detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of Mendhar sector in Poonch district.
The explosive devices were discovered during track construction operations at approximately 8:25 am and 12:10 pm, officials said. Army experts subsequently destroyed both mines in controlled explosions.
Landmines have been deployed across several forward areas along the LoC as part of the anti-infiltration defence system. However, heavy rainfall and erosion can displace buried mines, sometimes bringing them to the surface and creating risks for security personnel and civilians.
The discovery of the two explosives highlights the additional hazards posed by ageing and displaced mines in forward areas.
Security forces continue to maintain heightened vigilance along the LoC in Poonch, particularly in sectors known to have been used for infiltration attempts. The latest developments come as troops work to secure the border against potential threats from across the Line of Control.
