Former militant killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir

A former militant was killed by unidentified gunmen in Indian- controlled Kashmir, police said Sunday. The killing took place Saturday night at Chak Jamnagri Village of Shopian District, about 57 km south of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir. "Unknown militants shot at an ex-militant of Hizb-ul-Muhajideen (HM) namely Shabir Ahmed Mir at his home in Chaki Jamnagri Shopian, " said a police spokesman. "He was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way." HM is an indigenous militant outfit in Indian-controlled Kashmir. According to police, Mir had severed ties with HM and was living life as a civilian. 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. The killing has created panic in the area. So far, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of the killing. A guerrilla war is going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.