Late on Monday afternoon, militants killed a ruling Peoples Democratic Party municipal councillor and his relative in Bandipore, 47 kms from Srinagar [Images], in north Kashmir.

Police said militants stopped the Maruti [Get Quote] car in which the councillor, Ghulam [Images] Hassan Wani, and his cousin, Zahoor Ahmad, were returning home after attending a marriage ceremony in Bandipore town.

• Terror infrastructure intact despite quake

The duo were later taken to an isolated spot at village Brar, near Bandipore, and killed by the militants, who fired a volley of automatic rounds at them. "Both died instantly,"said a senior police officer.

Militants have, so far, killed over two dozen elected civic representatives since the civic polls were held last February. Dozens of other councillors resigned, following widespread fear.

• Infiltration levels same as last year

After their election and subsequent miliant threats the authorities deputed one armed guard for each elected civic representative. However, the councillors have been asserting that the security provided to them is inadequate.