Excelsior Correspondent
![Body of Sarpanch killed by militants on Sunday night. -Excelsior/Younis Khaliq](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/page1-52-211x300.jpg)
-Excelsior/Younis Khaliq
SRINAGAR, Nov 30: Militants this evening shot dead Sarpanch and National Conference worker in South Kashmir district of Shopian where voting is on December 14. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed concern over gaps in security grid and said that his party will ask the Election Commission of India to review the security after the killing of the NC worker.
Police said that militants tonight barged into the house of Sarpanch at Nazneenpora village in Shopian in South Kashmir and fired indiscriminately at Mohammad Sultan Bhat. Militants fled after carrying out the attack under the cover of darkness.
Bhat was left in pool of blood and was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead by doctors. Senior police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and army officers rushed to the spot and areas has been cordoned and searches are being launched against those responsible for the killing.
Chief Minister while expressing concern said that there are gaps in security grid and seeks security review by the ECI. “Tomorrow my party will formally request the ECI to review security in this area. We are concerned about gaps in the security grid”, he tweeted.
Omar said that he can’t intervene due to model code of conduct. “The EC code forbids me from any engagement with the security forces so the EC is now responsible for plugging any loopholes”, he wrote.
Chief Minister expressed sympathies with the bereaved family. “Mohd Sultan Bhat, a Sarpanch belonging to my party has been shot & killed by militants outside his home in Shopian earlier this evening. My heartfelt condolences to his family & loved ones. He joins the many hundreds of NC cadre killed for their political beliefs”, he tweeted.
Omar said that death of the NC worker will strengthen the party’s commitment to peaceful and prosperous Naya Kashmir. “Bhat Sahib’s death will only spur us on to remain steadfast & committed to our mission of a peaceful, prosperous naya Jammu & Kashmir”, tweeted.
Bhat’s killing comes a day after militants lobbed a grenade on a CRPF bunker in city Centre Lal Chowk yesterday in which 8 persons including a CRPF officer were injured.
Security forces declared alert across Kashmir after the blast and erected barricades and intensified security across Kashmir.
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