MUZAFFARABAD: A Pakistan army soldier was martyred, and two others were injured on Tuesday when an “old explosive device” accidentally detonated along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Tetrinote Madarpur sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the military’s media affairs wing said.

According to a brief statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the incident occurred when the army personnel were patrolling the LoC as part of their routine duties.

The injured soldiers were taken to a hospital for medical treatment, it added.

The ISPR also noted that similar incidents had occurred in the past.

Indian forces violate LoC ceasefire near Poonch

Social media reports identified the soldier as Lance Naek Muhammad Naseer. Visuals shared on social media showed his funeral prayers were offered and he was laid to rest with full military honours in his village on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s casualties coincided with an exchange of fire between Pakistani and Indian troops in the same area, marking the first ceasefire violation of 2025.

Assistant Commissioner Hajira Waleed Anwar told Dawn that Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing from across the LoC at around 2pm with small arms, catching residents on the Pakistani side off-guard.

“People were celebrating the second day of Eid, with some picnicking along the banks of River Poonch, when suddenly, firing started from across the divide,” he said.

He said that Pakistani troops responded and the exchange of fire ended by 3pm.

Military sources confirmed that the Pakistan army swiftly responded to India’s small arms fire following the accidental explosion.

While the ISPR statement did not mention the exchange of fire, it reaffirmed the army’s capability to counter any threat and respond to aggression with full preparedness.

“Pakistan Army possesses the full capability to effectively fulfill its professional responsibilities in any emergency situation and remains fully prepared to deliver a resolute response to any aggression,” the ISPR said.

In February 2021, the armies of both countries had issued a rare joint statement reaffirming their commitment to upholding the ceasefire along the disputed border in Kashmir, an agreement they had originally signed in November 2003.

Barring some sporadic ceasefire violations by Indian troops, the truce has largely held after the renewed commitment.

Published in Dawn, April 3rd, 2025