India, April 24 -- An Indian Army special forces para commando was killed in action, and two others sustained injuries during a fierce encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district on Thursday, two days after the Pahalgam terror attack, sources said.

The gunfight broke out during a search operation launched by the security forces in the area, following inputs about the presence of terrorists.

According to sources, the soldier who laid down his life was a para commando from the elite special forces unit of the Indian Army. The two injured personnel also belong to the same battalion.

The martyred soldier was Hav Jhantu Ali Shaikh of 6 PARA SF, the Indian Army said

"His indomitable courage and the valour of his team ...