Srinagar - XINHUA
Unidentified gunmen attacked the house of a mainstream political activist in Indian-controlled Kashmir and killed his son and critically wounded his nephew, police said Saturday.
The attack was carried out late Friday evening at Sellu near Sopore town, about 54 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
"Unidentified gunmen late last evening barged into the house of a Congress party worker Khazir Mohammad Naikoo and fired upon inmates, killing Naikoo's son Nazir Ahmad and critically wounding his nephew Shabir Ahmad," a police officer posted in Sopore said.
"The wounded Ahmad was immediately removed to hospital, from where he was referred to Srinagar hospital."
Naikoo, according to locals, is a grass-root level political worker affiliated with the Congress party.
Locals said following the attack, Indian troops rushed to the spot to nab assailants. However, so far no arrests were made.
"We have registered a case and initiated investigations into the killing," the officer said.
So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the attack on Naikoo's house.
On Wednesday unidentified gunmen killed a 35 -year-old youth in Aarwani village, south of Srinagar. He was a former militant.
Militants in the region usually target families and individuals for their possible links with police and defense agencies. Even people having associations with pro-Indian political parties are targeted at times.
A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.