Indian Army Soldier Baldev Chand Killed in Udhampur Terrorist Encounter
Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand of the Indian Army lost his life during an intense gun battle with militants in the Basantgarh region of Udhampur district, located within Jammu division. This area, situated at the intersection of Udhampur, Doda, and Kathua, has been frequently troubled by terrorist confrontations.
The White Knight Corps acknowledged the soldier’s sacrifice, stating, “GOC White Knight Corps and all ranks pay solemn tribute to Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand, who made the supreme sacrifice during an ongoing operation at Kanji, Udhampur. We stand with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”
The clash erupted on the evening of September 19 when vigilant troops from the White Knight Corps, acting on intelligence reports, engaged with three to four militants hiding within the Seoj Dhar forest, positioned on the Dudu-Basantgarh boundary in Udhampur and Bhaderwah in Doda. The joint search mission, including the Army, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police, was met with heavy gunfire.
Additional forces, comprising drone units and sniffer dogs, were deployed from both Udhampur and Doda to address the situation. The extensive cordon and ongoing operation highlight the high operational stakes in a region that has experienced several skirmishes between security forces and insurgents over the past year.
The Indian Army reiterated its dedication to eliminating threats while ensuring the safety of residents and promised ongoing support to the grieving family of the fallen soldier.
