Jammu, Jul 25 (IANS): A border security force (BSF) trooper on Sunday escaped with a light machine gun (LMG) after stabbing his colleague at a an outpost on the international border in Jammu district.

"A BSF jawan identified as Rajeev Ranjan, resident of Darbanga, Bihar stabbed another jawan identified as Raghubir Singh, resident of Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir at Beli Azmat post in Kanachak area of the international border in Jammu district," a senior police officer told IANS.

"Rajeev Rajan later escaped with a LMG and ten magazines. Both the troopers belong to 89 battalion of the BSF," the officer added.

The officer said Rajeev Rajan had been sanctioned leave with effect from July 21.

"Initial investigations reveal he did not leave for his home on July 21, but was hiding after leaving the post till he managed to return secretly to stab his colleague and decamp with the LMG.

"The injured trooper has been shifted to hospital and investigations have been started into the incident", the officer noted.

A high alert has been sounded to trace the missing trooper. Police in neighbouring Punjab has also been alerted to trace the missing trooper.