J-K: Army Major, soldier killed in IED blast in Nowshera sector

An Indian Army Major and another soldier were killed in an IED blast at Nowshera sector in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, according to news agency PTI. An improvised explosive device was planted by suspected militants in foot-track along the LoC to target Army soldiers patrolling the borderline in Laam belt of Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, they said. The blast resulted in injuries to two soldiers, including a Major, the officials said, adding they were rushed to a hospital where they succumbed to injuries. Army soldiers have been alerted against IED blasts and attacks by the border action teams (BATs) of the Pakistan Army, they said.

In a similar attack on Friday, terrorists lobbed a grenade at a CRPF platoon near Lal Chowk in Srinagar. However, there were no reports any causality in the incident.   

Earlier in the day, an Army porter was killed when Pakistani troops continued ceasefire violations for the fourth consecutive day along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate, officials said. Army porter Hemraj was critically injured when Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Sunderbani Sector of Rajouri district, PRO Defence Lt Col Devender Anand said.

He was provided immediate resuscitation and medical aid, but he succumbed to the gunshot wounds, he said. The Army will provide all possible assistance to the family of martyred porter, the PRO said. Pakistan troops also resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC in forward areas of the Poonch district, the officials said.

Indian troops guarding the borderline retaliated strongly, resulting in an exchange of firing on both sides, they said. The year 2018 had witnessed 2,936 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Indo-Pak border, the highest in the last 15 years. The continuous shelling and firing by Pakistan targeting villages has set in fear psychosis among the border dwellers, the officials said.

On Thursday, an Army major and a BSF jawan were injured as Pakistani troops shelled forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire for a third consecutive day Thursday, inviting a strong retaliation from Indian forces, they said.

(With PTI inputs)