Srinagar, April 16 (IANS) Separatist guerrillas gunned down a woman candidate for Jammu and Kashmir's panchayat polls in Badgam district, police here said Saturday.

 According to the police, the guerrillas forced their way into the house of Haseena Akhtar, 45, in Karpora village of Pakharpora area around Friday midnight.
 
 "Militants asked Haseena to move out of her home and she came out with them. They fired at her from close range, killing her on the spot," a police officer said.
 
 She was to contest from Pakharpora.
 
 This is the first guerrilla killing of a panchayat candidate in the state.
 
 The first round of the 16-phased panchayat polls was held in eight blocks of the state Wednesday.