HYGAM (SOPORE): Unidentified gunmen raided the residence of Sarpanch in Hygam, Sopore late Friday night, abducted him on gunpoint and later shot him dead.
Family members of Sarpanch Ghulam Muhammad Mir alias Bedar (62) said that at least 6 armed persons donning Army uniforms barged into their house and dragged Beedar out from his residence. The gun toting men who were carrying wireless sets took Bedar sahab along leaving us shocked and dumbfound in our house, one of the family members of the Sarpanch said adding that an hour later they heard some gunshots from a distance.
The family members said that Army cordoned off the area soon after the gunshots and launched a manhunt to nab the suspected militants.
Residents said police along with the residents found the body of kidnapped Sarpanch from Shalbagh orchards near Dhar Nambal, two kilometers away from Hygam on Friday morning.
Sarpanch had been shot in the head and abdomen.
The slain Sarpanch who belonged to Shia community was earlier affiliated with the PDP. He had thrown his weight behind NC candidate for Sopore ahead of ongoing Assembly polls.
A police official said that a kidnapping and murder case has been registered and investigation was going on. He said that the Bedar was kinapped and killed by militants believed to be six to eight in number.
A case under FIR number 191/2014 under Sections 364, 7/25 IA Act has been registered, he said.
The slain Sarpanch is survived by five daughters.
Meanwhile shopkeepers in Hygam downed their shutters to protest the killing.
Villagers also blocked the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad highway and demanded arrest of his killers.
The protests started in and around Hygam locality as soon as the body of slain Sarpanch reached his home.
Taking the strong note of attacks on Panchayat leaders in the state, All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference issued a statement denouncing the killing.
It said that militants have started targeting the Panchayat leaders again in the state holding them responsible for the successful elections and mobilizing the people in election process .
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