State forest minister Ghulam [Images] Mohi-ud-Din Sofi escaped unhurt in a militant ambush at Zachaldara village in north Kashmir Kupwara district late on Saturday afternoon.

Police said the minister was returning to his home town Handwara after visiting border village of Zachaldara when militants hiding in forest fired at his cavalcade.

The guards of the minister returned the fire, cleared the ambush and escorted the minister safely to his ancestral home at Handwara town, 74 kms from.

Senior district police officers visited the area. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.