257 soldiers killed since January 2011

A total of 257 soldiers were killed in the country in "various operations" since the start of 2011, parliament was informed Friday.

Seventy-six soldiers died in 2011, 84 in 2012, 71 in 2013 and 26 soldiers have been killed so far this year, Defence Minister Arun Jaitley told the Lok Sabha.

The fatalities included two soldiers killed in Nepal in 2011 and one each in the next two years, the minister said in a written statement.

The maximum deaths during this period took place in Uttar Pradesh (32) followed by Rajasthan (24), Punjab (23) and Uttarakhand (22).

Maharashtra and Haryana accounted for 19 deaths each while 17 soldiers died each in Jammu and Kashmir and Bihar, the statement said.

Jaitley said 93 complaints were pending regarding families of soldiers killed in action and ex-servicemen who had been prevented from occupying land allotted to them by the government.

"However, as the matter related to allotment of land is a state subject, these complaints are forwarded to the respective state governments for appropriate action," he said.