Unknown gunmen shot dead two NC workers in Srinagar

Srinagar: Two workers of the National Conference, Nazir Bhat and Mushtaq Wani, died after unknown gunmen opened fire in the heart of Srinagar on Friday. Another party worker was critically injured. Leaders of the National Conference (NC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti strongly condemned the killings.The gunmen fired from a close range in the Karfali Mohalla area of the Habakadal in Srinagar city, said the police.The incident came just two days ahead of polling for the first phase of elections for urban local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir.Reports said that unknown gunmen emerged in congested Karfali Mohalla and fired upon trio. Two of them died on spot while another one according to police received bullet in his right arm and is stated be stable.The first phase of polling for the local body elections will be held on October 8, followed by the second phase on October 10, third phase on October 13 and the final phase on October 16.  The counting of votes will be taken up on October 20.Both NC and PDP are boycotting the elections over Section 35A, which gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir. The parties have said they will not participate in the election process until the Centre clears its stand on Section 35A, which is being challenged in the Supreme Court.Police issued a statement about the Karfalli Mohalla Killing saying that militants killed two civilians in the interiors of Srinagar city known as Karfali Mohalla Friday.A police spokesperson in a statement said that in this incident three civilians sustained injuries and were evacuated to nearby hospital for medical attention.However, two of the civilians succumbed to their injuries who were identified as Nazir Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad Wani resident of Pamposh Colony Noorbagh and Mushtaq Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat resident of Kani Kadal. Another injured civilian Shakeel Ahmad is stated to be stable, the spokesman said.The spokesman said that police has registered a case and initiated the investigation into the instant matter.