Soldier injured in Pak sniping Army Chief reviews security in Akhnoor

JAMMU: An Army soldier was injured when he was shot by a Pakistani sniper from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Akhnoor sector, Defence Ministry officials informed.

The incident took place Friday evening when the soldier was manning a forward post in Akhnoor sector's Khour area, they said.

He suffered a bullet injury in his upper body area. The soldier was shifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur after initial treatment at the local military hospital, officials said.

He was reportedly injured in firing by a Paksitani sniper, they said.

This is the second such incident in a week on the LoC. On July 7, an army jawan was injured reportedly in Pakistani sniper firing in Rajouri district's Nowshera sector.

Meanwhile, Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat today visited the Akhnoor sector here and commended the field commanders for ably confronting the challenges posed by "inimical elements" and exhorted all ranks to continue working with dedication.

Accompanied by Northern Army commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, the army chief visited the Akhnoor sector and was briefed by General Officer Commanding (GOC), White Knight Corps, Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC Crossed Swords Division Maj Gen M K Mago and other formation commanders, Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said in a statement.

He said the officers briefed the Chief of Army Staff on the operational preparedness, prevailing security situation and actions being undertaken to ensure a robust and effective counter infiltration grid.

Gen Rawat also reviewed the measures and standard operating procedures instituted and being followed by the units and formations, Lt Col Anand said.