Fatal blast in frontier region
A civilian was killed and several others were injured on Saturday when an old unexploded artillery shell detonated near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, according to police officials.
The incident occurred in the Machil sector of Kupwara district, a region frequently subjected to cross-border shelling. Senior police officer Abdul Qayoom confirmed that the blast took place when the deceased, identified as 45-year-old Ghulam Mohiuddin, attempted to handle the unexploded ordnance.
Details of the incident
Police said the shell was likely a remnant of past artillery exchanges between Indian and Pakistani forces. Mohiuddin reportedly found the shell in a field near his village and struck it with a hammer, causing the explosion. Three other villagers standing nearby sustained injuries and were rushed to a hospital in Handwara.
“The victim was trying to extract metal from the shell when it exploded. Such abandoned ammunition poses a grave risk to local populations,” Qayoom said.
Ongoing threat from unexploded ordnance
Unexploded shells and mortars are a persistent hazard along the LoC, where frequent ceasefire violations occur. Local authorities have repeatedly warned residents not to touch or approach any suspicious objects found in border areas.
In 2025, at least five civilians were killed and 12 injured in similar incidents across Kupwara and Baramulla districts, according to official data. The Indian Army’s bomb disposal teams regularly conduct clearance operations, but the rugged terrain and ongoing tensions hinder complete removal of ordnance.
Government response
Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Dr. Bashir Ahmad, expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh to the victim’s family. Injured individuals will receive free medical treatment. “We are intensifying awareness campaigns in border villages to prevent such tragedies,” Ahmad said.
The incident underscores the human cost of the long-standing conflict in Kashmir, where civilians often bear the brunt of military exchanges.
