• Source:JND
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Two members of a village defence committee were abducted and killed by terrorists in the forested areas of Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district on Thursday, according to officials.

"Two VDC members, identified as Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, were kidnapped and killed by terrorists in the forest areas of Kishtwar district. Bodies of the slain VDC members have been recovered and a massive search has been launched to trace their assassins," an official source said.

 The terror group 'Kashmir Tigers' claimed responsibility for the killings.

Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, residents of Ohli-Kuntwara, went to graze cattle in the Munzla Dhar forest in Adhwari but did not return. Before village residents contacted the police, militants released photos of the two Village Defence Guards along with a statement claiming responsibility for their deaths 

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) leaders Dr Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah condemned the brutal killings of Village Defence Guards Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar in Kishtwar. They stated that such acts of violence hinder lasting peace in the region and expressed condolences to the victims' families.

This marks the second militant attack in Jammu province in the past nine days, following the October 29 attack on an ambulance, where Army troops killed three militants in Battal.

Village Defence Guard (VDG) members are responsible for routine patrols and maintaining vigilance in support of local police. They are equipped with weapons to counter terrorist threats and often act as first responders when suspicious movements are detected in higher areas. Initially armed with .303 rifles, some VDG members have now been provided with SLR rifles by the security forces.

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