The army lost a second soldier to another gunfight with militants in two days in Jammu and Kashmir amid a relentless drive by Pakistan to push in terrorists.

A defence spokesman in Srinagar said a soldier and a militant were killed in an exchange of fire in Kupwara. A soldier had also died in a gunfight with infiltrating militants in Poonch on Tuesday.

“Based on specific input regarding presence of terrorists in general area Kowut, Kupwara, a Joint Search Operation was launched by #IndianArmy & @JmuKmrPolice 23 July (20)24,” army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said in a post on X.

The spokesperson said suspicious movement was observed and challenged by the troops on Wednesday and the militants opened indiscriminate fire in response. He said a militant was killed and a non-commissioned officer injured in the ensuing gunbattle.

The soldier, identified as Naik (gunner) Dilwar Khan, later succumbed to his wounds.

“All Ranks of the #ChinarCorps salute the supreme #sacrifice of our #Braveheart Nk (Gnr) Dilwar Khan who laid down his life in the line of duty,” the army said in a statement.

The Jammu-based White Knight Corps on Wednesday organised a wreath-laying ceremony for Lance Naik Subhash Chander who died fighting infiltrators at Battal in Poonch early on Tuesday.

Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday reiterated his vow to eliminate militancy, setting a three-month target this time.

“I believe in the next two to three months the situation will be normal again,” the LG said in reply to a question about the spurt in militancy on the sidelines of a function on the banks of the Dal Lake. He said some people were trying to disturb the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.