Gunmen kill another former militant in Indian-controlled Kashmir

Unidentified gunmen shot dead another former militant Monday in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

This is the second killing in the last 24 hours.

The 38-year-old Aijaz Ahmad Reshi was killed outside his house at Mundji locality in volatile Sopore town, around 52 km northwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Gunmen today struck once again and killed Aijaz Ahmad Reshi this morning," a police officer posted in Sopore told Xinhua over telephone. "Reshi was a civilian but in past was affiliated with some militant group."

Locals said Reshi instantly succumbed to bullet wounds.

"He was fired on outside his house today at around 8:15 a.m. ( local time)," Masood Ahmad, a local said.

According to locals Reshi was running a small time business and had given up his association with the militant group long ago.

On Sunday, a 37-year-old former militant who is a poultry shop owner was shot dead in the town.

Reshi's killing is the third in row since Friday and the fourth in the past week.

So far no militant outfit has claimed responsibility of these killings. Police officials blame militants for these killings.

Reports in media quoted police officials saying they have identified the killers but so far no arrests were made.

The killing spree has triggered panic wave among local residents in the area.

On Saturday region's former chief minister Omar Abdullah blamed New Delhi for these killings.

"The defence minister of India Manohar Parrikar stated that they will use militants to kill militants, meaning they will revive the (counter-insurgency group) here. Since the statement was made, you have seen the situation in Sopore. One after another, someone is being killed there," Abdullah said during a protest rally in Srinagar.

The region's hardline separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani condemned these killings and described them the "handiwork of Indian agencies." Endi