Srinagar, September 6
Militants shot dead an Independent candidate along with three of his associates, while injuring two others in Handwara constituency of Kupwara district today.
In other incidents a worker of the CPI(M) was killed and four supporters of a Janata Dal (U) candidate and a Congress worker were injured across the Kashmir valley since yesterday.
The police here said Independent candidate Abdul Rahman Sheikh and three others were killed when the militants fired upon their vehicles at Wadipora near Handwara at about 12-10 p.m. today. They died on the spot. Three others killed included his nephew, Nazir Ahmad, their driver Ghulam Mohiuddin and a worker, Abdul Aziz.
The security guards escorting him in another vehicle retaliated but the militants escaped.
According to UNI, a report from Baramula said the four Railway Protection Force guards of Sheikh fled leaving behind their weapons. The militants took away three service rifles of the guards.
There are nine candidates in the poll fray for Handwara constituency, including the Agriculture Minister, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Congress candidate Ali Mohammad Dar, and seven Independents.
The killing according to deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Mr B.S. Jamwal, would not lead to the postponement of the scheduled poll in the constituency since the candidate did not belong to any registered political party.
Four supporters of the Janata Dal (U) candidate were injured when militants fired upon an election campaign vehicle at Kandi in Kupwara district today.
A worker of the CPI(M), Mohammad Ibrahim was shot dead in his house at Kulgam in Anantnag district of south Kashmir last night, the police said here.
