Soldier killed in Sopore gunfight, search op on

A soldier was killed in an overnight encounter in north Kashmir’s Sopore, officials said on Monday. The soldier, identified as Pangala Kartheek, was injured in the exchange of fire with terrorists in the Zaloora Gujjarpati area of Sopore and died as he was being evacuated, they said.

Following a tip-off, the security forces busted a hideout of terrorists in the area. A cordon and search operation was launched by a joint team of the police and Army personnel.

Srinagar-based 15 Corps said a suspicious activity was observed by the troops. “On being challenged, terrorists opened indiscriminate fire. Our troops effectively retaliated. The operation is still in progress,” the Army said.

Police sources told The Tribune that one jawan was killed after he suffered injuries in a grenade attack during the encounter. Paying tributes to the slain soldier, the Army, in a post on X, said, “All ranks of the Chinar Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Pangala Kartheek, who laid down his life in the line of duty.”

The sources said it was believed that two militants were trapped in the area.