SOPORE: A Sarpanch, who had left Congress party recently, was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Sopore town on Saturday.
Official sources said that Ghulam Mohammad Bhat son of Haji Mohammad Jamal was shot at from point blank range by the unidentified masked gunmen outside his residence at Bomai village in the apple town.
After carrying out the attack, sources said, the gunmen believed to be two in number fled from the spot on a motor-bike.
After hearing the gunshots, the residents rushed to the spot and found the Sarpanch lying in a pool of blood. They rushed him to a nearby hospital where doctors declared pronounced him dead.
Confirming the death of the Sarpanch, Block Medical Officer Sopore Dr Syed Masood said that victim had received two bullets in his head that resulted in his death.
Bhat had survived a bid on his life last year also.
The slain Sarpanch was affiliated with National Conference when he escaped bid on his life after unidentified militants fired at him when he was coming out of Jamia Masjid Bomai Sopore on April 29, 2013.
During the attack he had received two bullets in his left arm.
Soon after the attack he joined Congress party but recently, he had declared his support for independent candidate for Sopore Arshid Kar and canvassed in his favour during the election campaign.
Meanwhile, soon after the attack, army, SOG, police and CRPF cordoned off the area and launched searches to nab the attackers.
Bhat is the second Sarpanch killed in less than a weeks time in Sopore town.
On December 13, a Sarpanch Ghulam Mohammad Mir alias Bedar of Hygam village was killed in similar fashion.
Police is yet to find a clue about Bedars killers.
Chief Minister and working president of National Conference Omar Abdullah expressed his condolence over the killing.
Another grim reminder of the risks associated with fighting an election, Omar tweeted and beseeched almighty Allah to grant him (Bhat) place in paradise.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the unending cycle of death and destruction should stop in Kashmir to allow it grow and progress.
It is sad that yet another precious life has been lost to the vicious cycle of violence in Kashmir. Our party strongly condemns such incidents, she said in a statement.
Reoccurrence of such dastardly incidents is unfortunate which has till now only devastated families and increased the number of orphans and widows in the society.
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