Woman's killing not linked to panchayat polls: Omar

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The gunning down of a woman candidate for the ongoing panchayat polls in Jammu and Kashmir in Badgam district was not linked to the polls, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday.

"Our initial inquiry has revealed that the killing of Haseena (Bano) was not linked to panchayat polls," Omar told newsmen on the sidelines of a function here.

"Investigations are in progress and the police are trying to get to the bottom of truth," he said.

The chief minister, however, did not disclose how he reached the conclusion.

Haseena, 45, was killed by separatist guerrillas in Karpora village in Pakharpora area of the central Kashmir district around Friday midnight.

"Militants asked Haseena to move out of her home and she came out with them. They fired at her from close range, killing her on the spot," a police officer said.

She was to contest from Pakharpora.

This is the first guerrilla killing of a panchayat poll candidate in the state.

The first round of the 16-phase panchayat polls was held in eight blocks of the state on Wednesday.