Army Jawan martyred in mine blast along LoC
STATE TIMES NEWS
Srinagar: Three unidentified terrorists were killed while an Army jawan was injured in an encounter in Bandipora district on Saturday, officials said.
Security forces launched a cordon and search operation in Shokbaba forest in the Sumblar area of Bandipora in north Kashmir following inputs about the presence of terrorists there, they said.
“On a specific input generated by Police regarding presence of terrorists in the forest area, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Bandipora Police, 13RR, 14RR, Para(SF), MARCOS and CRPF in the said area”, a police spokesperson said.
The officials said as the forces were conducting searches in the area, the terrorists fired upon them.
The forces retaliated, ensuing an encounter in which so far three terrorists have been killed, they added.
Srinagar-based PRO Defence Col Emron Musavi said an Army personnel suffered injuries in the gunfight.
He said the injured jawan has been evacuated and is undergoing treatment.
The officials said the identity and group affiliation of the slain ultras are being ascertained.
The operation is in progress and further details are awaited, they said.
Meanwhile, a 27-year-old Army jawan was martyred in a mine blast along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said.
Sepoy Kamal Dev Vaidya was on operational duty in Krishna Ghati sector on Friday. He accidentally stepped on a mine and it exploded injuring him critically, a defence spokesman said.
The soldier was evacuated to the nearest medical facility but he succumbed to injuries there, the official said.
Sepoy Vaidya hailed from Ghumarwin village in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district, the spokesman said.
“Sepoy Kamal Dev Vaidya was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” he said.
Ghumarwin village plunged into mourning after the news of his death reached his family. A large number of people gathered at the jawan’s residence and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed grief over the demise of the soldier. Former chief minister PK Dhumal also offered condolences to Vaidya’s family and said the jawan’s contribution to the nation will always be remembered. The soldier is survived by mother Vanita Devi.