An Indian Army soldier was killed in a suspected Border Action Team (BAT) attack by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. According to sources, a BAT unit, made up of Pakistani commandos and trained militants, targeted the Mike Battalion (Tika Post) of the Indian Army in the Churanda area of Uri during the previous night.

The 9 Bihar Regiment’s advanced party was stationed at the location. During the attack, one soldier was critically injured and later died from his wounds. He has been identified as Havildar Ankit Kumar. The army has not yet officially confirmed the BAT attack or the soldier’s death.

The 15 Corps (Chinar Corps), based in Srinagar, posted on X, “Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Havildar Ankit Kumar, who laid down his life during operational duty along the LoC in Uri, Baramulla.”

“Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences, and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.”

https://x.com/ChinarcorpsIA/status/1955574553456865719

Sources added that there was heavy gunfire between the BAT team and Indian soldiers. Under the cover of darkness and poor weather, the attackers reportedly managed to retreat.

On Monday, another soldier, Banoth Anil Kumar from Telangana, died after falling into a deep gorge during a routine patrol near the LoC in the Bijhama area of Uri.

What is the current status in the area?

The army has launched a large-scale search operation in the area, which is covered by dense forest. Drones and helicopters have been deployed, and the operation was ongoing at the time of the latest reports. This is the first major BAT attack since the army’s Operation Sindoor on May 7, which targeted militant infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.

The latest development comes days after Operation Akhal, launched by the security forces.

What is Operation Akhal?

A Hindustan Times report quoted Inspector General (IG) Kashmir VK Birdi as saying that Operation Akhal had reached its final stage as it entered Day 13 on Wednesday. Some militants may have escaped the cordon. On August 9, 2 soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire with militants in the forests of Akhal.

The operation has become one of the longest-running missions in South Kashmir.