In Kashmir valley, a panchayat member affiliated with ruling National Conference was shot dead by suspected militants last evening in Vanpoh village in Kulgam district.

Police sources said two burqa clad pistol- borne persons appeared at the hardware shop of the panchayat member Gul Muhammad Bhat and fired at him. He succumbed to injuries on his way to hospital. Last month a sarpanch and his son were killed in Tral area of Pulwama district and a panchayat member was killed in Gulzarpora Pulwama by suspected militants.