The Indian Army paid tribute to Ajay Kumar, a sepoy who died during an encounter with militants in Lam forests of Tral on Tuesday (April 24) morning.

In a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh cantonment Lt Gen AK Bhatt, general officer commanding, Chinar Corps and other officers and soldiers paid homage to the martyr. Representatives of other security agencies were also present at the ceremony.

Ajay Kumar was 25 years old and had joined the Army in 2013. He belonged to Panjola village in Sirmaur district of Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his parents and a brother.

The mortal remains of the martyr were flown for the last rites to his village, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.

"In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved family of the martyr and remains committed to their dignity and well being, " an army official said.

Four Jaish-e-Mohammad militants and two security personnel, including Kumar, were killed in Tuesday's operation.

The operation was jointly conducted by Indian Army and a special operation group of J&K Police in the forests just outside Tral town.