2 RR soldiers killed in accidental blast at forward post near LoC

Srinagar, Jun 10: Two soldiers of Rashtriya Rifles were killed in an accidental grenade blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Baramulla district of north Kashmir on Wednesday, officials said.

Official said that the incident occurred at Baz Post in the Kamalkote area of the Uri sector.

A top official of security establishment told Greater Kashmir that incident took place during the mishandling of weapon of returning patrol party of 8 RR.

“The patrol party soldiers were returning their weapon early in the morning. During the process there was mishandling that resulted in grenade blast,” a senior security establishment officer said. “The two soldiers had sustained critical injuries during the accidental explosion.”

The officer identified them as Arjun Jadhav and VikramBalakrishna, both residents of Maharashtra.

“They were shifted after sustaining critical injuries to the army’s base hospital in the Badamibagh Cantonment area of Srinagar, but despite the best efforts of the doctors, they couldn’t be revived,” the official said.

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid homage to the two soldiers.

“I salute the supreme sacrifice of our BraveheartsSowarChavanVikramBalkrishna and Sapper Jadhav Arjun Rajendra. The nation shall remain forever grateful to their selfless devotion to duty. We stand united in solidarity with the families of the martyrs in this hour of grief,” LG Sinha said.

Chinar Corps paid solemn tribute to the SowarChavanVikramBalkrishna and Sapper Jadhav Arjun Rajendra.

“Their unwavering courage, devotion and selfless service will continue to inspire generations,” the Chinar Corps said. “Chinar Warriors salute their indomitable valour and sacrifice. We stand firmly with the bereaved families in this hour of grief and remain committed to their dignity and well-being.”

J&K has a 740-km-long LoC situated in the Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts of Kashmir.

In the Jammu division, the LoC is situated in Poonch, Rajouri, and partly in the Jammu district.

The LoC is guarded by the Army, while the International Border (IB) is guarded by the Border Security Force (BSF).

Both the Army and the BSF are deployed on the border to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, smuggling, and drone activity initiated from across the border.

Hi-tech anti-drone equipment has been installed on the LoC and the IB to check the menace of drones into the Indian side of the border.