Unidentified gunmen shot dead a sarpanch in south Kashmir on Monday night, police said. This is the sixth killing of the panchayat representatives in Kashmir since elections were held in the autumn of 2011.
Ghulam Muhammad of Lathipora in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district was fired upon near his home after the night prayers.
“The firing took place around 8:30pm. We are yet to get the full details of the incident,” said police spokesman, Manoj Sheeri.
He said that the political affiliation of the deceased was not immediately known.
The panchayat elections were held in Kashmir in 2011 after a 10 year long break with a record 80% turnout. Around 34,000 representatives were elected in the election which is only the third in 34 year old history of panchayat polls in the state.
Panchayat representatives have been constantly demanding security cover after continuous attacks and threats suspected to be from militants.