Jammu: At least 12 members of village defence council (VDC) were killed and as many injured when militants attacked them in a village in Surankote tehsil in border district of Poonch last night (Jun 25, 2004), official sources said today (Jun 26, 2004).

They said a large group of heavily armed militants swooped on Maraha village, about 20 kms from main Surankote town, last night and resorted to firing on VDC members, who also retaliated.

But it was later found that 12 VDC members were killed and as many were injured, sources said.

Police and security forces have rushed to the area and further details are awaited.

Meanwhile, authorities have arranged a helicopter to bring the injured to Jammu for treatment at Jammu Medical college.