Suspected IED blast near LoC in Poonch triggers alert

A powerful explosion, suspected to have been caused by an improvised explosive device (IED), was reported near the Line of Control (LOC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday. This prompted security forces to step up in the area, according to officials.

According to PTI, the blast took place in the Satwal-Naki area of the Krishna Ghati sector, close to the zero line, as a group of people was moving on the Pakistani side of the LoC.

Officials said there were reports of casualties, but the number of people killed or injured was not immediately known.


It was also unclear whether those caught in the blast were suspected terrorists trying to cross the LoC or Pakistani security personnel on patrol. Officials said the circumstances surrounding the explosion were still being ascertained.

Post the blast, security forces sent an alert across the sector and increased surveillance along the LoC to assess the situation and prevent any possible security breach.

In a separate incident on Monday, Indian Army troops found two rusted landmines near the border fence in the Basoni area of the Mendhar sector.

The mines were discovered during track construction work at around 8.25 am and 12.10 pm, officials said. Both were later destroyed by Army experts in controlled explosions.

Over the past week, the Army has detected and defused around a dozen landmines in the area.

Landmines are planted across several forward areas along the LoC to prevent infiltration. However, heavy rainfall can sometimes dislodge them and carry them to other locations, where they may pose a danger to troops and civilians.