Teen Dies After Landmine Blast Near Ammunition Depot In Anantnag

A 17-year-old boy from Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district died on Monday from injuries sustained in a landmine explosion near an army ammunition depot the previous day, officials confirmed. Shahid Ahmad, son of Mohammad Yusuf and a resident of Larnoo village in the Larnoo area, succumbed at the Army's 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar after being airlifted for advanced treatment. The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Sunday when Shahid crossed into the restricted fenced area of the Army's 21 Field Ammunition Depot (FAD) at Khundroo, triggering a defensive landmine planted for perimeter security.

Eyewitnesses and initial reports indicate the teenager accidentally stepped on the device while in the prohibited zone, suffering critical injuries to his legs and torso. He was first rushed to Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag for emergency care before being referred to the military facility due to the severity of his wounds. Army personnel responded immediately, securing the site and providing initial aid. The depot, one of the largest in the Kashmir Valley, has been a focal point for such perils due to its strategic munitions storage amid ongoing security concerns in the region.

This tragedy marks the latest in a series of landmine-related incidents around the Khundroo facility. In 2007, over 20 laborers perished in a massive accidental blast inside the depot, while in 2011, another worker was critically injured after triggering a mine near the fence during maintenance. Authorities have repeatedly warned locals against entering fenced military areas, emphasizing the risks posed by anti-intrusion measures designed to protect against sabotage in militancy-prone south Kashmir.

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The Anantnag police have initiated an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances, including how the youth accessed the restricted zone. Community leaders expressed condolences, calling for enhanced signage and awareness campaigns to prevent future mishaps. As investigations proceed, the incident underscores the enduring security challenges in Jammu and Kashmir, where civilian safety intersects with military imperatives.

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