Militants attack army party in J&K, one killed

Militants on Monday attacked an army patrol party killing a soldier and critically wounding two others in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

An army team was on its way to Pattan Behramgala area in Poonch district following reports about the presence of militants, they said.

The militants, who had taken positions on hilltops, attacked the troops by firing indiscriminately and hurling grenades, they said. In the attack one soldier was killed on the spot and two others injured.

Troops, however, soon took positions and retaliated, they said. They added that the gunbattle was on in the area, when reports last came in.

Army authorities have sent additional troops to the area to assist troops in the gunbattle, they said.

In another incident, militants abducted a villager identified as Zakir Hussain from Dul Daraman Gali meadows in Doda district last night, they said.

Zakir was later shot dead and his body was recovered by the troops this morning, they said.