A Muslim militant group said today it would continue killing supporters of a "sham" election starting next Monday in the Indian zone of disputed Kashmir.
"We not only stand by our announcement to disrupt the mock polls but we are vigorously implementing it," said Mr Abdur Rafia, a senior leader of the Jamiatul Mujahedin group.
Mr Rafia said his group had killed and would continue to kill all those taking part in or willingly supporting the "sham exercise".
"We have killed around 25 activists, including candidates, of the National Conference [the ruling party in Indian Kashmir] in the past three months. All of them were active in electioneering," he said.
"These people want to keep up and strengthen India's rule in Kashmir. Whosoever, whether Muslim or non-Muslim, Kashmiri or non-Kashmiri, strengthens Indias illegal occupation will be our target, just like the Indian soldiers," he said. "There will be no discrimination in this regard".
Police in Indian Kashmir said yesterday that suspected Muslim rebels had shot dead 12 people and injured 26 in attacks over recent days.
AFP