Srinagar, Sept 25 : Suspected militants on Thursday shot dead a zonal president of People''s Democratic Party (PDP) in Baramulla District of Jammu and Kashmir.

In recent months, this is the first political killing in poll-bound Jammu and Kashmir.

Ghulam Mohammad Mir (58), PDP zonal president for Rafiabad belt, was gunned down by unidentified militants at 2 p. m. when he was moving in Dangiwacha market of Baramulla district, according to reports.

Mir, a resident of Bahrampora village, had been offered police protection by the local police but the deceased had refused in writing to have any kind of protection for himself.

Police, assisted by security forces, has launched a massive search operation to nab those behind the killing of Mir.

Meanwhile, PDP has demanded a judicial probe into the murder to bring the culprits to book and termed the killing of Mir as "suspicious".

After a condolence meeting chaired by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and party patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, a party spokesperson expressed concern and grief over the suspicious killing of the Zonal President.

So far, no militant outfit has claimed responsibility for the killing. (ANI)