LoC Blast – Two Army Personnel Injured in Accidental Landmine Explosion Near Uri
LoC Blast – Two Indian Army personnel sustained injuries after an accidental landmine explosion during a routine patrol near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Uri sector on Tuesday. The incident occurred in a forward area of Baramulla district, where security forces maintain regular surveillance to safeguard the border against infiltration attempts.
Explosion Reported During Routine Patrol
According to official sources, the explosion took place near the Upper Garh forward post operated by 8 Rashtriya Rifles in the Kamalkote area of the Uri sector. The soldiers were conducting a routine patrol when the blast occurred. Initial findings suggest the explosion was accidental and happened after a landmine was unintentionally triggered while the patrol was moving through the area.
Injured Soldiers Shifted to Srinagar for Treatment
The injured personnel have been identified as Dafadar Vijay Kumar, 42, and Naik Sharanapa Angari, 28. Both were immediately evacuated by helicopter to the Army Base Hospital at Badamibagh Cantonment in Srinagar for advanced medical care. Hospital authorities confirmed that a team of military doctors is providing treatment to the injured soldiers.
Officials have not released details about the severity of their injuries, but both soldiers are receiving close medical attention.
Investigation Underway to Determine Exact Cause
Army officials confirmed that the explosion occurred during operational movement near the border. While early assessments indicate it was an accidental landmine blast, authorities have launched a detailed investigation to establish the precise sequence of events.
Following the incident, senior officials and security personnel visited the location to examine the site and gather information from members of the patrol team who were present during the explosion. The findings of the investigation are expected to help determine whether any additional safety measures are required in the area.
Second Similar Incident Near LoC in Recent Weeks
This marks the second accidental landmine-related incident reported near the Line of Control in a little over a month. On June 16, one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and three Army personnel suffered injuries after a landmine exploded in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector in Rajouri district.
That incident also occurred during a routine patrol in a forward deployment area, where the mine was reportedly activated accidentally while troops were carrying out operational duties near the border.
Landmines Continue to Pose Operational Challenges
Landmines remain an important component of the anti-infiltration security network deployed along sensitive stretches of the Line of Control. These explosive devices are strategically placed to discourage infiltration attempts by terrorists and to strengthen defensive positions along the international boundary.
However, military officials have previously noted that natural factors, particularly heavy rainfall and shifting ground conditions, can occasionally displace buried landmines from their original locations. Such movement increases the risk of accidental explosions, even for security personnel operating in familiar patrol zones.
The latest incident highlights the continued operational risks faced by troops deployed along the LoC, where soldiers carry out round-the-clock surveillance under challenging terrain and weather conditions while maintaining border security.