In Poonch, soldier killed in gunbattle

Jammu, November 8

A soldier was killed in a gunbattle with terrorists who, aided by cover fire by the Pakistan army, tried to cross the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Friday, a defence spokesman said.

The Indian Army observed suspicious movement of terrorists in the Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district around 2.30 am, he said.

In the exchange of fire, sepoy Rahul Bhairu Sulagekar sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to the nearest medical aid centre, where he succumbed to his injuries. “The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire and abetted terrorists who were involved in suspicious movement in the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district around 2.30 am,” the defence spokesman said.

Sulagekar, 21, belonged to Uchagaon village in Belgavi district of Karnataka. He is survived by his mother.

“He was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” the spokesman said.

According to reports, the terrorists were part of the BAT team, who had infiltrated into this side of the LoC to attack an Army listening post. — TNS