Srinagar, April 15 : A Sarpanch was shot dead in yet another targeted attack by militants in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Friday evening, officials said. The attack came days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to J&K where he is scheduled to address panchayat members. Police said independent Sarpanch Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo was shot at and critically wounded at Goshbugh area of Pattan in Baramulla district at around 7.35 pm. “In this terror crime incident, he had received critical gunshot injuries and was immediately evacuated to nearby hospital for treatment of his injuries. However, doctors declared him dead on arrival,” a police spokesman said. Police said the area has been cordoned to trace the attackers. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime,” the spokesman said. Attack on a Panchayat member in north Kashmir comes at a time when there have been a series of targeted attacks on migrant workers and local minorities in the valley in the past few weeks. The latest killing has been widely condemned. J&K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said perpetrators of this despicable act shall be p shed. “I strongly condemn the terror attack on Sarpanch, Manzoor Ahmad Bangroo. Perpetrators of this despicable act shall be p shed. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” Office of LG J&K tweeted. Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said the unending cycle of violence is heartbreaking. “Another targeted killing, another family in mourning this evening. This unending cycle of violence is heartbreaking. My condolences to the family of Manzoor Bangroo. May he find place in Jannat,” Omar tweeted. Peoples Democratic Party said killings are happening despite multiple security assessments. “Deeply pained by the news of killing of a Sarpanch Manzoor Ah Bangroo in Pattan. Even after multiple security assessments, bundling them in secure accommodations in Srinagar, why do sarpanches still continue to be killed?” PDP tweeted. The BJP termed the killing a gruesome act. “..Gruesome act, terrorists have no religion and mercy even during the fasting month of Ramadan,” BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said. A i Party while condemning the killing said that Kashmir has witnessed violence since years altogether and the people of Kashmir have been used as a mere scapegoat to fulfill the vested interests. MJR SHK2136