Police in Indian-ruled Kashmir say a local leader of the troubled state's ruling Congress Party has been shot dead, just hours after a new chief minister was sworn into office.
Police blame Islamic militants for the attack today (Saturday) in the busy Batamool section of Srinagar that killed Mohammad Sikander Khan and two of his security guards.
There has been no claim of responsibility, and the attackers fled the scene.
The shooting occurred hours after Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was sworn in as Kashmir's chief minister. His cabinet also was installed at a ceremony in Srinagar, summer capital of the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Before the swearing in ceremony, suspected Muslim militants hurled grenades at Mr. Sayeed's house, slightly wounding a guard. The new head of the state was home at the time, but he was not hurt.
Mufti Mohammed Sayeed heads a coalition government of his People's Democratic Party and the Congress Party -- India's main opposition party, headed by Sonja Gandhi.
Meanwhile, Indian troops have shot and killed 12 suspected militants in Kashmir's Poonch district, near the line-of-control with Pakistan. It remains unclear whether the militants were attempting to cross to the Indian side of the border or trying to enter Pakistan.
Mr. Sayeed has said he will ask the Indian government to open a dialogue with the new legislature and others to gain a broad-based consensus on restoring peace to the region.
Separatist groups and Pakistan have dismissed the election. A dozen militant Islamic groups have been fighting a deadly 13-year battle for an end to Indian rule in Kashmir. Some groups demand independence, while others want Kashmir to join Pakistan.
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training the militants. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it only offers moral and political support to them.