MAJOR, JAWAN KILLED IN IED BLAST ON LOC

JAMMU/NEW DELHI: Two Indian army personnel, including a Major, were killed on Friday in the deadliest attack along the Line of Control with Pakistan in nearly three months.

The attack came even as the Pakistani establishment signalled it was open to peace talks, though people in the Indian defence establishment – the army chief being the most recent – have seen such attempts as being hollow.

A spokesperson did not confirm the identities of the casualties, but according to multiple officials in the army and intelligence agencies, the attack involved two explosions and the Major was killed in the second one when he went to rescue a soldier hit by the first blast.

“Today (Friday) at about 3pm, an improvised explosive device (IED) explosion took place near LOC in Nowshera Sector in which an army officer and a soldier got grievously injured. Immediate resuscitation and medical aid was provided to them. However, they succumbed to their injuries,” said Lt Col Devender Anand, defence spokesperson. Three other soldiers were injured by the blast.

An army porter was also killed by Pakistani snipers in the same district but during a separate incident.

While officials did not give details of the identity of the attackers, such incidents near the LOC routinely involve a specialised Pakistani squad called the Border Action Team (BAT), which is believed to comprise Pakistani army regulars as well as militants. Earlier this week, Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan accused India of rejecting its peace offer.