Jayalalithaa writes to martyr's wife, calls him "brave son"

The mortal remains of the officer would be flown to Chennai on board an Air India flight, sources said, adding that a military funeral was being organised tomorrow.  The encounter, in which the Major and another jawan lost their lives, ended yesterday morning. Bodies of three militants were also recovered.

Security forces had launched search operations in Karewa Malino in Shopian, 55 km from Srinagar on April 25 on information about presence of three militants - two locals and a foreigner.

The militants were asked to surrender but they resorted to firing, triggering the gunfight.

Shopian is part of Anantnag Parliamentary constituency and the encounter took place a day after militants attacked a polling party escorted by police and CRPF in the district at the end of the voting on Thursday.

One polling officer was killed while five others, including three security personnel, were injured in the incident.