Islamic rebels kill politicians in Kashmir

Suspected Islamic rebels killed three members of the pro-India ruling party in Indian-controlled Kashmir today, police said.

The latest killings came just two weeks ahead of state legislative elections in the disputed Himalayan region.

The federal government hopes the polls will ease violence and reduce support for the militants, who are fighting for Kashmir’s independence from India or its merger with Pakistan.

Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of the ruling National Conference party was abducted from his home late last night in Bandipore district, 55 miles north of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-ruled Kashmir.

His decapitated body was found in a field near his village today, said Tirath Acharya, spokesman for the Border Security Force, who blamed suspected militants.

And a Muslim National Conference member, Ali Mohammed, was shot dead by suspected rebels today in Anantnag district, 40 miles south of Srinagar, police said.

Another party member, Habib-Ullah Gojri, was killed by unidentified assailants in Sopore, 40 miles north of Srinagar, officers said.

The state government has said at least 48 political activists have been killed by suspected guerrillas in the past three months in Jammu-Kashmir state.

Nearly 32,000 paramilitary troops have been deployed across the state to prevent violence during the elections.

The voting is scheduled to be held on four days in September and October, beginning on September 16.

Militant groups have asked people to boycott the elections, which they say will be rigged in favour of the pro-India National Conference party.