In occupied Kashmir, a colonel, a major, two soldiers of the Indian Army and a police officer were killed in an attack during a cordon and search operation jointly launched by Indian Army and police at Rajwar in Handwara area of Kupwara district on Sunday.

Among those killed have been identified as Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj, a Lance Naik, a rifleman and police Sub-Inspector Shakeel Qazi.

Indian army officials said the commanding officer of 21 Rashtriya Rifles along with four others had entered a house during the operation where they were fired upon and killed.

They said the bodies of the slain personnel have been recovered.