Srinagar:  A forest department employee was shot dead by militants in north Kashmir district of Baramulla late Thursday night, a police spokesman said here.

He said a group of militants last night barged into the house of a forest employee Tariq Ahmad Malik at village Zandpal Kunzar Tangmarg in Baramulla. However, before the inmates could do anything militants fired upon 38-year-old Malik from very close range.

Spokesman said Malik died before he could be shifted to hospital.

Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law, he said adding initial investigation in the matter established that Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) militant Yousuf Dar alias Kantroo, a resident of Kawoosa Badgam was involved.