Army soldier killed in militant ambush in Keran sector

An Army soldier was killed after a militant group attacked a patrol party along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on Saturday night.

According to official sources, a group of militants opened fire on the army's patrolling party of 23 Grenadier (under 268 Infantry Division) at Mundian forest in Keran sector late last night.

"In the attack, an army soldier Sepoy Rahul Kumar, 22, sustained critical bullet injuries," sources said, adding that the injured soldier was immediately shifted to the Army Hospital in Drugmulla.

However, the injured soldier succumbed to injuries early this morning, they said.

Kumar is a resident of Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh and his body is being sent to his native village, they said.

Sources further said the militant group believed to be four to five in number managed to escape after carrying out the attack. However, an extra contingent of forces rushed to the area to combat the militants hiding in the area.

A senior defence official while confirming the soldier's death said the operation in the area is still on to trace down the militant group.