Jammu, April 12 -- An army Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was martyred in an encounter with terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector, but thwarted their attempt to infiltrate into India from across the border, officials said on Saturday.

The terrorists are believed to have sneaked back into Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) following the intense gunfight in the Keri Bhattal area, the officials said.

The Army said the slain officer, Subedar Kuldeep Chand of 9-Punjab, was a resident of Himachal Pradesh.

"GOC (General Officer Commanding) White Knight Corps (Lt Gen P K Mishra) and all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand of 9 PUNJAB. He laid down his life while gallantly leading...