Security forces on Wednesday nabbed four militants belonging to the pro-pakistan Hizbul Mujahideen, including an area commander, after a fierce gunbattle in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said in Jammu.

A woman and a three-year-old girl were killed in the crossfire, they said, adding that four others were injured.

HM area commander Zakir Hussain was captured along with three other militants from Malad village in the district by the troops after they cordoned off the area and launched an operation, they said.

The militants had come down to meet Zakir's relatives in the village late Tuesday night.

After being challenged by security forces, they shifted to the house of one Dani Ram, holding his family as a shield, and fired at the troops, the sources said.

In the cross fire, Ram's daughter Bimla and wife Rano Devi were killed, they said, adding that the injured were being treated.

The other arrested militants were identified as Mohammad Imran, Mohammad Aslam and Mohammad Qasim.

Security forces also recovered two AK rifles, one pistol, one UBG launcher, four magazines, 179 rounds of ammunition, seven grenades and one radio set, they added.