JAMMU: Two personnel of the Army’s Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) were injured late Wednesday when an old, corroded landmine exploded while they were trying to defuse it in Mendhar sector of J&K’s Poonch district. On Thursday, two rusty mortar shells were found and destroyed in the district’s Mankote sector, officials said.An Army patrolling party had detected the landmine and informed the BDS on Wednesday evening. The injured duo was part of the BDS team that arrived at the spot to dismantle the explosive when it blew up, officials said. The personnel were administered first aid and later shifted to Rajouri Army Hospital.
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Around 11.30am Thursday, Army personnel found two corroded mortar shells in the forested area of Choki Sagra under Balnoi police outpost in Mankote sector. A BDS team rushed to the spot and destroyed the explosives following standard protocols, officials said.Forward areas along the Line of Control are dotted with landmines as part of the anti-infiltration grid. These explosives are sometimes washed away and displaced during heavy rain, leading to accidents involving patrolling soldiers, border residents, and livestock.