August 14, 2025
JAMMU – An Indian Army soldier was killed during a fierce firefight along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Uri sector of Baramulla, north Kashmir, as troops foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists reportedly backed by the Pakistan Army’s Border Action Team (BAT).
The Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Indian Army on Wednesday identified the martyred soldier as Havildar Ankit Kumar.
“The 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. Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences, and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family,” the Corps wrote on X.
No official statement has yet been issued regarding the infiltration bid.
According to sources, the infiltration attempt was supported by Pakistan’s BAT, a specialised unit known for facilitating such cross-border operations. The group reportedly received covering fire from across the LoC, marking a sharp escalation from routine infiltration incidents.
The encounter began when alert troops detected suspicious movement near the LoC under the cover of poor visibility. A gunfight ensued, during which Havildar Ankit sustained fatal injuries. Taking advantage of heavy rain and low visibility, the intruders managed to retreat into Pakistan-occupied territory.
This was the first major provocation since the fragile calm following Operation Sindoor—India’s counter-response to a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 civilian lives. That operation was followed by targeted airstrikes in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, after which both nations agreed to a ceasefire.
However, incidents such as the Uri infiltration attempt underscore the continued volatility along the LoC and the challenges of sustaining peace despite diplomatic outreach.
Just a day earlier, on Tuesday, the Chinar Corps had announced on X the loss of the “precious life of Braveheart Sepoy Banoth Anil Kumar, while performing operational duty along the Line of Control in Baramulla district.”
It remains unclear whether Sepoy Anil Kumar lost his life in the same operation or in a separate incident.
The Army has launched a search operation in the area to ensure no further infiltration attempts succeed.
To counter such threats, the Army has been strengthening its LoC defences with advanced surveillance and mobility assets. These include a smart fence system, quadcopters, modern night-vision devices, bulletproof and all-terrain vehicles, and upgraded weapons, significantly enhancing detection and rapid-response capabilities.