Army foils 'infiltration' bid in Uri, soldier killed

A soldier was killed in an exchange of fire with terrorists as the Army foiled an "infiltration bid" along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector on Wednesday, sources said.

A senior security official said a “short, intense” exchange of fire took place in the sector and one soldier who sustained bullet injuries later succumbed.

The slain soldier has been identified as Ankit Kumar, a resident of Bihar.

The sources said alert personnel foiled an infiltration bid in the sector and the terrorists were pushed back. The terrorists were suspected to have been assisted by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT), the sources said.

However, the Army has not confirmed whether BAT was involved in the infiltration bid on Wednesday. Soon after the incident, a massive search operation was launched in the area.

Though no statement was issued about the incident, Srinagar-based Chinar Corps paid tributes to the deceased soldier.

“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,” the Army posted on X.

“Chinar warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolence and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family,” it said.

Today’s death of a soldier comes a day after another one was killed in “operational duty” along the LoC in Baramulla district on Tuesday. The Army did not clarify how the soldier died.

The gunfight along the LoC comes a few days after two soldiers were killed and two were injured in a fierce encounter in the Akhal forest of Kulgam district. The operation, which continued for nearly two weeks, was called off on Monday, with the elimination of one terrorist. However, other militants managed to escape from the area.