Two Indian Army personnel were injured in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday. The incident occurred in the vicinity of the Upper Garh Forward Post in the Kamalkote sub-sector, where troops of the 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR), operating under the 12 Infantry Brigade, were carrying out routine operational duties.
According to officials, the explosion took place during a routine patrol close to the LoC. The injured soldiers were immediately evacuated from the site by fellow troops before being airlifted to the Army’s Base Hospital at Badamibagh in Srinagar for specialised medical treatment. Officials said both personnel are in stable condition and are receiving the necessary medical care.
The injured soldiers have been identified as Havildar Vijay Kumar and Naik Sharanapa Angari, both serving with the 8 Rashtriya Rifles, one of the Indian Army’s premier counter-insurgency formations deployed in Jammu and Kashmir. The unit has been actively engaged in safeguarding the Line of Control and conducting operations to maintain security in the region.
Authorities are currently investigating the exact circumstances that led to the explosion. Preliminary assessments indicate that the blast may have been caused by an old anti-personnel landmine that was inadvertently triggered during the patrol. However, the precise cause will be confirmed only after the completion of the ongoing inquiry.
Military officials noted that such incidents become more likely during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall and soil erosion along the mountainous terrain of the Line of Control. Continuous rainfall, water runoff and landslides often dislodge landmines from their original marked locations, causing them to shift to previously safe or unmarked areas. This natural movement significantly increases the risk of accidental explosions for both security personnel and civilians living in border regions.
The Line of Control, stretching across difficult mountainous terrain, contains several mined areas that have historically served as defensive obstacles against infiltration attempts. Despite regular maintenance and mapping of minefields, environmental factors such as erosion and shifting soil can alter their positions, making periodic sanitisation and surveillance operations essential.
Following the explosion, the Indian Army immediately launched an area sanitisation and search operation around the site of the incident. Bomb disposal and engineering teams were deployed to inspect the surrounding area, identify any additional explosives and ensure the safety of troops operating in the vicinity. The operation is aimed at ruling out the presence of more displaced landmines or unexploded ordnance that could pose a threat to personnel.
The Indian Army regularly undertakes minefield monitoring, route clearance and engineering tasks along the LoC to minimise risks associated with legacy minefields while maintaining operational readiness. Troops deployed in these sensitive sectors are trained to operate under challenging conditions, including the hazards posed by terrain, weather and hidden explosives.
Incidents involving accidental landmine explosions remain an operational challenge in certain sectors of the Line of Control, particularly during the rainy season when natural factors can alter the landscape. The Army continues to review safety procedures and conduct periodic clearance operations to reduce risks while ensuring the security of the border against infiltration attempts.
The prompt evacuation and timely medical response by fellow soldiers ensured that the injured personnel received specialised treatment without delay. Officials stated that the condition of Havildar Vijay Kumar and Naik Sharanapa Angari is stable, and they remain under medical observation at the Army’s Base Hospital in Srinagar.
The investigation into the incident is ongoing, while the Indian Army continues its sanitisation operations in the affected area to ensure the safety of troops and prevent any further accidents along this sensitive stretch of the Line of Control.
