J&K sarpanch shot by suspected militants, dies in hospital

An elected sarpanch of the ruling National Conference was shot dead by suspected militants at his residence in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district ahead of assembly polls.

NC sarpanch Mohammad Sultan Bhat, 38, was killed after suspected militants stopped his car and shot him while he was on his way home in Nazimpora in Shopian district.

Bhat died before being shifted to a medical facility.

Earlier, a People’s Democratic Party village head's brother was shot dead in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. During the parliamentary elections, several Panchayat members and lower rung political workers fell to the bullets.

The militants had circulated posters in various areas of Kashmir warning people to stay away from the electoral process.