29 Army Soldiers, Including 5 Officers, Killed in Militancy-Related Incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in 2024

Srinagar, Dec 31, KNT: In 2024, a total of 29 army soldiers, including five officers, were killed in various militancy-related incidents across Jammu and Kashmir. The data available with the news agency Kashmir News Trust reveals that these casualties were reported during encounters, attacks, and operational duties in multiple districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

One of the early incidents occurred in the forward areas of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, where an army soldier lost his life while performing an operational task.

In Rajouri district, Agniveer Ajay Singh, a soldier with the Indian Army, was killed in an IED blast in the Nowshera sector, an area known for frequent militant activity. Similarly, in the Poonch district’s Sanai Top area, another soldier was killed during an encounter with militants.

The Kulgam district witnessed multiple fatalities, with Havaldar Raj Kumar of 01 RR being killed in Chinnigam Frisal, and Para Commando Lance Naik Pradeep Nain losing his life in Modergam village.

In Jammu region, a major attack took place in the Badnota area of Kathua district, where five soldiers, including a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), were killed during a militant ambush. Another encounter occurred in Doda’s Deesa forest area, where four soldiers, including an officer, were killed in a gunfight with militants. In Poonch district’s Battal sector, Lance Naik Subhash Chandar was killed during an operation.

In the Kupwara district, a non-commissioned officer was killed in a firefight with militants in Kowat Lolab, while a soldier was killed in a gunfight in the Kamkari sector of Thregam. Further, in Kokarnag’s Ahlan Gagarmandu forest area, two soldiers were killed in an encounter with militants.

Captain Deepak Kumar was killed in Assar forest area of Doda, while a soldier was killed in a militant attack on the Sunjawan Jammu military station. Initially suspected to be a militant assault, the army later claimed that it was a suicide incident.

The Chatroo Kishtwar region also saw two soldiers, Vipan Kumar and Arvind Singh, killed in a militant attack in the Pingnal Dugadda forest area. Further, militants abducted Territorial Army (TA) soldier Hailal Ahmed Bhat from the Kazwan forest area of Shangus Kokarnag, later killing him. His colleague managed to escape unharmed.

In Baramulla district’s Botapathri area, two soldiers were killed in a militant attack on an army vehicle, and JCO Rakesh Kumar lost his life in a gunfight in Keshwan forest area of Kishtwar. Another soldier, V. Subhash Varikunt, was killed in a landmine blast in Thanedaar Tekri, Poonch. [KNT