Soldier, 22, Killed As Protesters Throw Stones At Army Convoy In Kashmir

A soldier was killed after protesters threw stones at an army convoy passing through the Anantnag bypass tri-junction in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, an army spokesperson said today.

Rajendra Singh (22), who was part of a quick reaction team responsible for providing security cover to a Border Roads Organisation team, died in a hospital today. "Although Rajendra was given first aid and taken to the 92 Base Hospital immediately after the incident occurred around 6 pm yesterday, he succumbed to his injury," an official said.

Mr Singh, a resident of Badena in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh, had joined the army in 2016. An only child, he is survived by his parents.

The soldier was among three army personnel who were killed in separate incidents over the last two days. The others were identified as Lance Naik Brajesh Kumar (32), who sustained fatal splinter injuries during an encounter in Sopore's Malgunipura earlier today, and Sepoy Ngamsiamliana (23), who died in a terrorist attack on an army camp at Luragam village in Tral on Thursday. While Mr Kumar hailed from Nanawin village in Himachal Pradesh, Mr Ngamsiamliana was a resident of Rengtekawn village in Mizoram.

The army paid its respects to the three soldiers at a solemn ceremony attended by Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh and representatives of other security agencies today. An army spokesperson said the remains of the soldiers were then flown to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours.

Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Jayant Chaudhary expressed grief over the deaths on Twitter. "Very sad to see such young men give their lives. A number of our jawans have been killed recently. Have to respect the sentiment that drives our young men & women to serve the nation despite perils," he tweeted.