LoC Alert in Poonch: Army personnel detect and safely destroy two landmines during a routine patrol in Mendhar sector. (Images: Dynamite News)
Srinagar: Two landmines were detected and safely destroyed by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Monday, averting a potential danger in the forward area.
The explosives were spotted by Army personnel during a routine patrol near the border fence at Basooni Top in the Mendhar sector at around 9:50 am, officials said. Following the detection, the area was immediately secured and movement was restricted as a precaution.
The Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad was subsequently deployed to the location to neutralise the explosives. Both landmines were destroyed through controlled explosions after the necessary safety protocols were implemented. Officials said the operation was completed safely and there were no casualties or damage reported in the incident.
Forward areas along the LoC contain minefields and other obstacles that form part of the anti-infiltration system established along vulnerable stretches of the border. Over time some mines can shift from their original positions because of heavy rainfall, soil erosion and ground movement. Such changes can result in explosive devices becoming exposed or surfacing in areas used by security personnel or civilians.
The timely detection of the explosives by Army personnel helped prevent the possibility of an accidental detonation in the area. The subsequent disposal operation also ensured that the immediate surroundings were made safe. Security forces maintain heightened surveillance in forward areas along the LoC, particularly around vulnerable stretches and border fencing. Routine patrols and specialised detection capabilities remain an important part of efforts to identify and neutralise potential threats.
The incident highlights the continuing importance of specialised mine-detection and bomb-disposal teams in border areas. Their role becomes particularly significant in terrain where environmental factors can alter the position or visibility of buried explosive devices.
The safe destruction of the two landmines in Poonch’s Mendhar sector underscores the role of regular surveillance and rapid response in maintaining security along sensitive LoC stretches.
