India, Aug. 13 -- Police in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Thursday accused the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of abducting eight highway police personnel who were on election duty.

Police spokesperson Khawar Ali Shaukat told the media that the JAAC attacked security forces deputed on election duty in the region.

"Eight highway police officials on election duty were abducted," he claimed.

He said that the abducted personnel were in the custody of JAAC and alleged that they had been subjected to "brutal abuse".

"I want to make it clear that the state was not and is not weak. The state has always shown restraint," Shaukat said, adding that recent events showed that the JAAC was not a peaceful group, but a violent one intent on...