Mumbai: Two soldiers hailing from Maharashtra were killed in a cross-border attack near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, even as the Indian army foiled an attack by Pakistan’s Border Attack Team (BAT), an Indian army official said.
The intrusion occurred on Thursday, the army spokesperson said, adding that “our own Area Domination Patrol targeted by armed intruders” killed one of them. “The body of the intruder is within visual reach and another armed intruder has been injured, though covering fire by Pak posts facilitated his extrication.”
During the heavy exchange of fire, two troopers, Sandip Sarjerao Jadhav, 34, from Aurangabad, and Savan Balku Mane, a resident of Kolhapur, were killed. Both were serving in the 15 Maratha Light Infantry.
Jadhav had completed 15 years of service in the army and leaves behind his wife Ujwala whilst Mane is survived by his mother Shobha. He had served in the armed forces for four years.
A wreath-laying ceremony was conducted at Poonch on Friday morning. Jadhav’s body was transported to Aurangabad via Pune whilst Mane’s body was kept in a mortuary in the Command Hospital in Pune and will be flown to Kolhapur on Saturday. The last rites of both soldiers are expected to be conducted on Saturday.
Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis tweeted, “Salutes to our brave sons .... who got martyred fighting with enemies in Poonch, J&K.
“My condolences to the families of martyrs. Our government and we all stand firm with them in such tough times.”
