NEW DELHI, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Suspected Islamic rebels have shot and killed an independent candidate contesting the upcoming polls in strife-torn Kashmir.
Sheikh Abdul Rehman, independent candidate from Handwara town, was shot and killed while he was campaigning for the polling due on Sept. 16.
Islamic rebels have threatened violence against those participating in the elections.
Indian authorities have deployed additional troops in the troubled Kashmir region to oversee the elections that would elect the provincial government.
The polling will be held in four stages beginning Sept. 16.
India's Kashmir region is a site of 13-year-old separatist Islamic uprising that has left more than 37,000 people dead.
Neighboring Pakistan has called the elections a farce, saying people of Kashmir want independence from India.
India has vowed to conduct free and fair elections.
