India's ruling BJP leader killed in Indian-controlled Kashmir

NEW DELHI - A leader of India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been abducted and killed by suspected militants in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

"BJP leader Shabir Ahmad Bhat was abducted by suspected militants while he was on the way to his home in Pulwama from state capital Srinagar late Tuesday evening to celebrate Muslim festival of Eid. His bullet-ridden body was found early Wednesday morning," a police official said.

Though no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for his killing, a massive manhunt has been launched to track down the perpetrators of the crime. "We are investigating the killing and efforts are on to nab the culprits," the official said.

BJP president Amit Shah has condemned the killing.

"Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta (worker), Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves," he tweeted.

"Entire BJP stands firmly with Shabir Ahmad Bhat's family in this hour of grief. My deepest condolences. May god give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss," Shah added.

Bhat is the third BJP leader to be killed by militants in south Kashmir in the past one year.