SRINGAR • A pro-India politician was shot dead by suspected rebels in revolt-hit Kashmir, police said yesterday. Police identified the dead man as Mohammad Yousuf Dar, vice-chairman of the Awami League, a political party formed by former militants.

Dar was gunned down in Hajin, 30-km north of Srinagar, summer capital of Indian Kashmir where separatist revolt has been raging since 1989.

“He was travelling in his private vehicle when rebels opened fire at him from close range, causing his death,” a police spokesman said. His wife and bodyguard were also critically injured in the attack, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, the PDP President Mehbooba Mufti visited the high-risk militancy-affected area of Aishmuqam in Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir without any security, yesterday.

Mehbooba, who normally has Z plus security, gave her security personnel a slip, making a quiet tour of the area. Her father Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had earlier demanded demilitarisation of Kashmir.

In response Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had said that leaders asking for demilitarisation in Kashmir should give up their own security first. Following the CM's remark, Mufti Muhammad Sayeed asked the government to withdraw the security cover provided to him and his daughter, Mehbooba Mufti.