The bloodthirsty Indian state has once again conducted a cowardly attack, leaving four young men martyred in a landmine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mahindala Madarpur, a village in Hajira tehsil of Poonch district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
The incident took place in Mahindala Madarpur village in Hajira tehsil, where the men had reportedly gone to repair a water pipeline connected to a local spring.
Initial reports say the explosive device detonated as they were working near the water source. All four died at the scene.
The incident has left the village in mourning, with the victims’ families and local residents expressing grief over the deaths.
According to preliminary information, the men had gone to the spring to repair its water pipeline when the explosion occurred.
Local reports suggest that explosive material was present near the site. However, the exact circumstances of the blast have not been independently confirmed.
Some reports claim that the landmine had drifted into Pakistani territory from the Indian side. There has been no independent verification of that claim, and further information about the origin of the explosive device remains unavailable.
The four men have been identified as Sardar Faizan Sagheer, Sardar Ishtiaq, Sardar Asim Rafiq and Sardar Waqas Sharif.
They were reportedly between 20 and 30 years old.
According to local sources, the men were close relatives of Zahid Tabassum, chief editor of Kashmir Express and president of the All Kashmir Newspapers Society.
Their deaths have also prompted grief within local journalistic circles.
Landmines and other unexploded ordnance pose serious risks to civilians living near conflict zones, particularly in areas where people depend on local water sources and rural routes for their daily needs.
The deaths in Mahindala Madarpur have renewed concerns about the safety of residents living near the Line of Control.
The victims had reportedly been carrying out routine repair work when the explosion occurred, highlighting the dangers that explosive devices can pose to civilians away from active fighting.
Details of any official investigation, including how the device reached the area and whether additional explosive material remains nearby, have not been provided in the available reports.
The incident has left four families grieving and raised fresh questions about the protection of civilians in communities close to the LoC.
