Army Jawan Killed, 2 Others Injured In IED Blast In J-K’s Akhnoor

An Indian Army jawan was killed and two other personnel were injured in a suspected IED blast in Akhnoor sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, according to media reports. The blast took place when the troops were moving around in an Army truck. 

"One of the three injured Army personnel has succumbed to his injuries at the Military Hospital in Udhampur," news agency ANI quoted a source as saying.

"In the incident, Havildar Santosh Kumar sustained grievous injuries and was evacuated to Army Command Hospital, Udhampur wherein he was provided medical aid and resuscitation. However, Havildar Santosh Kumar succumbed to his injuries," the Defence Ministry said in an official statement.

Kumar, 40, belonged to Pura Bhadauria village in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, and is survived by his wife Vimla Devi.

"Havildar Santosh Kumar was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The Nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the statement added.

Last week, a soldier was killed in a gunbattle with terrorists who, aided by the cover fire by the Pakistan Army, tried to cross the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. The Indian Army observed suspicious movement of terrorists in Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district around 2.30 am, he said.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, Sepoy Rahul Bhairu Sulagekar sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to the nearest medical aid centre, where he succumbed to injuries.

Sulagekar, 21, belonged to Uchagaon village in Belgavi district of Karnataka. He is survived by his mother. According to reports, the terrorists were part of BAT team, who had infiltrated into this side of LoC to attack an Army listening post.