A soldier died in an encounter with militants in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday. A combing operation was launched in the area to track down militants involved in the attack.
Defence sources said that militants attacked a patrolling party of Rashtriya Rifles in Wuder Bala area of Handwara. The troops repulsed the attack and heavy exchange of fire continued for several hours.
Sources said that militants escaped the area after inflicting a fatal casualty on the troops. However, additional reinforcements were called in to encircle the area where attackers were suspected to have reached.
The slain soldier was identified as Saurab Singh of 30 RR. Defence sources said that at least two militants are holed up in the cordoned off area. "The operation is in progress to track down the militants. However, there was no exchange of fire going on when the last reports came in", a Defence spokesman said.