New Delhi: A village chief or sarpanch was shot dead by terrorists on the outskirts of Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar on Wednesday. The village chief has been identified as Sameer Bhat.
The incident happened hours after an IED blast in Udhampur town in Jammu region killed one person and injured 14 others.
Bhat is the second panchayat member killed by terrorists in a week.
The Resistance Front (TRF), a shadow outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack, PTI reported.
Sameer Bhat was attacked by the terrorists at Khonmoh when he ventured out without informing his security team, police told PTI. He was rushed to a hospital but succumbed to injures later.
A police spokesman said terrorists barged into the sarpanch's house and fired indiscriminately upon him. A case has been registered.
Bhat's killing drew strong condemnation from political parties.
BJP's J&K spokesperson Altaf Thakur called the killing a gruesome act that is highly deplorable and deserves all forms of condemnation.
"The militants involved in the act are enemies of humanity and peace, who by killing unarmed civilians claim bravery, but in fact they are coward who feel frustrated by the grass root democracy flourishing in Kashmir," PTI quoted Thakur as saying.
In a tweet, National Conference vice president Omar Abdullah said, "Very tragic. The assassination of Sameer Bhat is reprehensible & I condemn it unequivocally. He joins a long list of politicians & elected representatives whose only crime was their desire to work for the greater good."
The PDP also condemned the killing and said that contrary to the tall claims of the administration, such recurring attacks highlight the deteriorating security scenario in Kashmir.
"Strongly condemn the assassination of Sarpanch Khonmoh, Sameer Ahmed Bhat. Contrary to the tall claims of the administration such recurring attacks highlight the deteriorating security scenario in Kashmir. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family in this hour of grief," the party said in a tweet.