New Delhi: In Jammu and Kashmir, two Army men, including a major, were martyred and two other personnel injured when terrorists opened fire on a search party of security forces in Shopian district. Director General of Police in the state SP Vaidya, said, a cordon and search operation was launched by Army in Zaipora area of Shopian during the night following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there.

He said, during the operation, the terrorists fired upon the party in which four army personnel were injured. He said, the injured were taken to hospital, where two of them, including Major Kamlesh Pandey, succumbed to injuries. He said, the search operation at Zaipora is on.

Later in the day, state Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh and the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen JS Sandhu paid rich tributes to Maj Kamlesh Pandey and Sep Tanzin Chhultim in a solemn ceremony in Srinagar. The mortal remains of the personnel will be taken to their native places for last rites with full military honours.