Army defuses 42 live bombs in Kashmir's Poonch

In a major safety operation, the Indian Army, in close coordination with local police, successfully defused 42 live bombs in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The bombs, remnants of recent cross-border shelling by Pakistan, were recovered from the border villages of Jhullas, Salotri, Dharati, and Salani.

The Army’s bomb disposal units, specially trained for such missions, were deployed to the area to conduct a controlled detonation of the unexploded ordnance. An official statement confirmed that the entire operation was conducted with utmost precision, following all standard safety protocols to ensure no harm to civilian life or property.

The explosive devices were leftovers from a heavy cross-border artillery exchange that recently struck the region, leading to major civilian casualties and property damage. According to media reports, 12 civilians were killed and 42 others injured in the barrage along the Line of Control (LoC).

In response to the tragedy, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah announced a compensation of ₹10 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives in the shelling. He also reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring the safety and support of residents in border areas.

The Indian Army emphasized that such proactive clearance operations are crucial to restoring a sense of security and normalcy in conflict-prone border zones. “Our goal is to neutralize threats before they can harm civilians. This operation reflects our unwavering dedication to public safety,” said an Army spokesperson.