LeT Commander, Three Other Militants Killed in Mine Blast Along LoC in Poonch

At least four infiltrating militants — among them a senior commander of the proscribed Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT)— were reportedly killed on Monday after a landmine detonated as they attempted to breach the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

According to officials, the group was trying to cross over from Pakistan‑occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) into the Nangi Takri area of Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch late Monday afternoon when they stepped into a minefield laid as part of India’s anti‑infiltration grid. The explosion was powerful enough to kill all four militants instantly.

The deceased have been identified as Muhammad Ishtiaq, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Asim, and Muhammad Faizan — the latter described as a top LeT commander. All were residents of Mandla and Madarpur, Tehsil Hajira, in PoJK.

The incident came hours after a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast was reported from Satwal‑Naki, a forward village near the zero line in the same sector. The explosion occurred during the movement of a group of people on the Pakistan side of the LoC. Officials initially confirmed casualties but said it was unclear whether those killed or wounded were infiltrators or Pakistani security personnel. The circumstances leading to the blast remain under investigation.

Following the twin explosions, security forces sounded a high alert across the Krishna Ghati sector and intensified surveillance along vulnerable stretches of the LoC to prevent any possible breach.

In a separate development, Indian Army troops on Monday detected two rusted landmines near the border fence in Basoni area of Mendhar sector. The mines were spotted during track‑construction work at 8.25 am and 12.10 pm and were later destroyed in controlled explosions by Army experts. Nearly a dozen landmines have been recovered and neutralised in the area over the past week.

Forward areas along the LoC are heavily mined as part of a multilayered anti‑infiltration grid. Heavy rainfall often dislodges these mines, causing them to surface unpredictably and increasing risks for both civilians and security personnel. Officials noted that infiltrating groups frequently suffer casualties while attempting to cross these mined stretches — a pattern reflected in Monday’s fatal incident. Further details are awaited as security agencies continue to assess the situation along the LoC. The Jammu region has been experiencing heavy rains for the past two days, triggering flash floods in several areas including those close to the border with Pakistan and PoJK.