JCO killed thwarting infiltration bid at LoC; LG Sinha, Army Chief pay tributes

Just two days after a flag meeting between India and Pakistan over increased ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Indian Army was killed while thwarting an infiltration bid by terrorists in the Keri-Battal sector of Akhnoor in Jammu.

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The incident occurred late Friday night when Army troops, using thermal imaging devices, detected movement close to the LoC in the sector. The alert troops immediately engaged the group of heavily armed Pakistani terrorists. During the exchange, Subedar Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab was severely injured and later succumbed to his injuries.

Jammu-based 16 Corps of the Indian Army stated, “GOC of White Knight Corps and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 Punjab. He laid down his life while gallantly leading a counter-infiltration operation along the Line of Control in the Keri-Battal area of Sunderbani on the night of April 11, 2025. His team’s valour and Sub Kuldeep’s ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”

This incident follows a deadly blast in February this year in the same area, where two soldiers were killed in an IED explosion. The IED, planted by terrorists on a patrol route near the LoC, was detonated as soon as the soldiers approached it.

On Thursday, a brigade commander-level flag meeting was held at the Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district. During the meeting, the Indian Army issued a stern message to its Pakistani counterparts, urging them to uphold the ceasefire agreement that was renewed by both countries on February 25, 2021.

Despite the meeting, tensions persisted on Saturday along the LoC. The Indian side heightened vigilance and launched a search operation to ensure no terrorist managed to infiltrate during the bid.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi have paid their tributes to Subedar Kuldeep Chand. A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held at military garrison Tanda in Akhnoor in the afternoon and later his mortal remains were despatched to his family in Himachal Pradesh for last rites, officials said.