Patna, May 16 (IANS) An Indian Army soldier was shot dead early Thursday by unidentified assailants in Bihar, police said.

Upendra Kumar Pandey, a native of Buxar town who was posted in Rajasthan, was killed near Simri town in Buxar district, about 125 km from here. He was on his way to meet some relatives.

"Pandey died soon after he was shot in the head," Mukesh Kumar, a close relative said.

A district police official said a case has been lodged in this connection and efforts are on to nab the culprits.