Soldier killed in Uri gunfight: Army

Srinagar, Aug 13: A soldier was killed in the Uri sector of Baramulla district along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday, while a massive operation is underway in the area.

This is the second such incident in Uri this week.

The 15 Corps identified the soldier killed on Wednesday as Havaldar Ankit Kumar.

“Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Havildar Ankit Kumar, who laid down his life while undertaking operational duty along the Line of Control in Uri, Baramulla. Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family. #Kashmir @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA,” Chinar Corps – Indian Army posted on microblogging site X.

According to sources in the security establishment, a “brief but intense” exchange of fire erupted between troops and unidentified infiltrators or suspected Border Action Team (BAT) operatives attempting to breach the LoC.

“It is still unclear whether the attack was a fresh infiltration bid from across the border or a planned BAT action,” said a senior Police officer here. “Investigations are ongoing, and surveillance has been intensified in the region.”

Army officials confirmed that a counter-infiltration and BAT operation was underway in the sector, aimed at tracking down the group responsible for the attack.

On Tuesday, the Army said that one of its soldiers was killed while “performing operational duty” along the Line of Control in North Kashmir’s Baramulla.

Sepoy Banoth Anil Kumar, a soldier of the Army, was critically injured during the encounter on Monday night and later succumbed to his injuries.

“Chinar Corps deeply regrets the loss of the precious life of Braveheart Sepoy Banoth Anil Kumar, while performing operational duty along the Line of Control in Baramulla district. Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.  #IndianArmy @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA,” the 15 Corps posted on X.

Monday’s incident had also occurred along the LoC in Churanda village of Uri sector, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Uri and within the Area of Responsibility (AOR) of 09 Bihar.

Security officials say that the increased drone activity, heightened patrols, and reinforcement of forward posts have been implemented along the LoC in anticipation of further infiltration attempts as terrorist activity often spikes ahead of significant national dates like Independence Day.

This latest incident comes just days after two soldiers were killed and two others critically injured in the dense Akhal forests of Kulgam district during an intense anti-insurgency operation that lasted 11 days – one of the longest such operations in recent memory in Kashmir.

That operation involving coordinated action by the Army, J&K Police, and paramilitary CRPF was launched after credible intelligence reports of a group of heavily armed terrorists hiding in the forest area.

A senior security official described the firefight in Kulgam as “prolonged, difficult, and fought in extremely challenging terrain,” and confirmed that while casualties were sustained, the search for the terrorists continues.

With the country set to mark Independence Day on August 15, the back-to-back incidents have placed security forces in Kashmir on high alert, especially in forward areas and forest belts.