New Delhi: Two Army personnel were injured in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Wednesday. The blast occurred near the Upper Garh Forward Post in the Kamalkote sub sector, an area under the responsibility of 8 Rashtriya Rifles operating with the 12 Infantry Brigade.
The injured soldiers were immediately evacuated from the site by fellow troops before being airlifted to the Army’s Base Hospital in Badamibagh, Srinagar. Officials said both personnel are undergoing treatment and their condition is stable.
The injured have been identified as Havildar Vijay Kumar and Naik Sharanapa Angari, both serving with the 8 Rashtriya Rifles. They were on operational duty near the Line of Control when the explosion occurred.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the blast. Initial indications suggest that an old anti personnel landmine may have been accidentally triggered during routine patrolling in the forward area.
Landmine related incidents are a recurring challenge along the Line of Control, particularly during the monsoon season. Heavy rainfall, soil erosion, landslides, and water runoff can dislodge mines from their original positions, causing them to shift into previously safe or unmarked areas. This significantly increases the risk of accidental explosions for both security personnel and civilians living in border regions.
Following the incident, security forces launched a search and sanitisation operation in the surrounding area to detect and neutralise any additional explosives that may pose a threat. The operation is aimed at ensuring the safety of troops deployed in the sector and preventing further accidents.
The incident highlights the continuing dangers faced by soldiers deployed along the Line of Control, where hidden landmines remain a persistent hazard despite ongoing efforts to secure and monitor forward areas.
