Colonel killed, captain injured in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: A senior officer of the Army was killed and another injured in separate encounters with militansts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday. Colonel Neeraj Sood, commanding officer of 18 Rashtriya Rifles, died after suffering critical injuries late on Tuesday in a militant ambush in Kupwara district's Saiwan village, 105 km from Srinagar. "Colonel Neeraj was critically wounded.

He was rushed to a hospital in Kupwara. He succumbed to his injuries on Tuesday night," a police officer said. A resident of Delhi, Colonel Sood is survived by a minor daughter. He had served in Kashmir for around four years. Defence sources said a massive operation has been launched in the entire belt. There is no report of any other casualty.

In Poonch district, 230 km north of Jammu, a captain of the army was injured in a firefight with militants in Bhanot area. Captain Nikhil Bismit of 12 Grenadiers came under attack in Bhanot area near the Line of Control (LoC), army officials said. He received bullet injuries and was shifted to a military hospital in Poonch.

The ambush triggered a fierce gunfight that rages on between security forces and the militants. Four to five gunmen are believed to be trapped in the area.