srinagar, October 28

A soldier was beheaded by militants as Pakistan army engaged in cross-border firing along the Line of Control in Machil sector of Kupwara district, Army sources said on Friday.The slain soldier, rifleman Manjeet Singh of 17 Sikh Light Infantry, belonged to Haryana. “This act will invite an appropriate response,” said an Army spokesman.(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd)He said the soldier was killed during an encounter late on Friday. A militant was also gunned down. An official statement initially said: “In a despicable act, the terrorists mutilated the body of the soldier before fleeing into PoK,” adding they were provided cover by Pakistan troops. — TNS