Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir — July 25, 2025

A landmine explosion in the Krishna Ghati sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district has claimed the life of Agniveer Lalit Kumar, while Naib Subedar Hari Ram and Havaldar Gajendra Singh sustained serious injuries during a routine patrol near the Line of Control (LoC). The incident, which occurred midday Friday, is the latest in a series of landmine-related accidents that continue to plague the volatile border region.

The Incident

According to Army sources, the soldiers from 7 JAT Regiment were conducting an area domination patrol along a known route in the forward belt of Krishna Ghati—a region marked by rugged terrain, dense forest cover, and high strategic importance. As the patrol advanced, one of the soldiers inadvertently triggered a buried landmine, believed to be part of the older anti-infiltration minefields laid along the LoC.

The explosion was powerful enough to fatally injure Agniveer Lalit Kumar, a young recruit serving under the Agnipath scheme. Naib Subedar Hari Ram and Havaldar Gajendra Singh were wounded by shrapnel and blast impact.

Immediate evacuation was initiated, and the injured personnel were airlifted to a military hospital in Udhampur. While both remain in critical condition, doctors have stabilized their vitals and are closely monitoring recovery.