JAMMU: At least four terrorists, including a top Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander named Mohammad Faizan, were killed in a landmine blast while attempting to infiltrate along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. In the current year 2026, this is the first incident of its type reported from anywhere along the LoC.
Following the explosion, security forces sounded an alert across the sector and intensified vigilance along the LoC to assess the situation and prevent any possible security breach.
Official sources said that the group of terrorists was trying to sneak into this side in Nangi Takri area of Krishna Ghati (KG) Sector late this afternoon when they triggered a minefield. The powerful blast killed all four terrorists on the spot, they said. The blast reportedly occurred in Satwal-Naki area near the zero line, during the movement of a group of people along the Pakistan side of the LoC, officials said.
Krishna Ghati is considered one of most treacherous sectors as winding roads, steep hills, then sharp descent near the Poonch river, make it a challenge for the security forces guarding the stretch. The Lower Krishna Ghati area is from where infiltration was attempted by terrorists mostly as there is thick wild forest with heavy undergrowth here.
The Indian side has placed these mines strategically and the local units keep detailed maps of these minefields. Yet, own casualties have been reported sometimes as heavy rains can cause the mines to shift from one area to another.
The deceased have been identified as residents of Mandla, Madarpur, Tehsil Hajira, District Poonch (PoJK) and have been confirmed as Muhammad Ishtiaq, Muhammad Faizan, top LeT Commander, Muhammad Waqas and Muhammad Asim.
It is pertinent to mention that forward areas along the LoC are heavily mined as part of the anti-infiltration grid to foil infiltration attempts. Due to this, infiltrating groups often suffer casualties while crossing the mined stretches.
In another development, the troops of Indian Army on October 12 detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in Basoni area of Mendhar sector. The landmines were spotted during track construction during the day, officials said, adding both explosive devices were later destroyed by Army experts in a controlled explosion.
