An Indian army officer of the rank of colonel was killed in a gunfight with militants in India-controlled Kashmir, Indian defense officials said Wednesday.

The gunfight broke out Tuesday late evening at village Sawian- Lolab of the frontier Kupwara district, around 110 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of India-controlled Kashmir.

"We have lost a commanding officer of the rank of colonel during a gunfight with militants in Lolab area of Kupwara district. The fight was triggered after militants ambushed an army patrol," said Lt. Col. J. S. Brar, Indian army spokesman based in Srinagar.

The slain officer has been identified as Colonel Neeraj Sood.

"Colonel Neeraj Sood was gunned down in Saiwan village of Lolab area in the northern state's Kupwara district late last night during an encounter between militants and the Army in Jammu and Kashmir," an army official said earlier in New Delhi.

His body will be brought to Delhi later Wednesday, according to the official.

The Indian army has rushed in reinforcements to cordon off the area, where search operation is underway.

"The gunfight has stopped but searches are still on," Brar said.

Further details about the gunfight are awaited.

On Tuesday an Indian policeman and a militant of Lashkar-e- Toiba (LeT) were killed in an overnight gunfight in a Sopore locality of Baramulla district, around 55 km northwest of Srinagar.