India: 3 ruling party workers killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir

Three workers from India's ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) were killed in a militant attack Thursday in Kashmir, according to police.

The attack occurred in the village Y.K. Pora in southern Kashmir's Kulgam district where gunmen fired on the victims, identified as BJP District Youth General Secretary Fida Hussain Yatoo and party workers Umer Rashid Beigh and Umer Ramzan Hajam.

Police said the victims were rushed to the hospital but were pronounced dead.

“All three of them were brought dead,” according to medical superintendent Asima Qazigund.

"Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime. The area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on," police said in a statement.

Political leaders in the region were quick to denounce the attack.

"Terrible news from Kulgam district of South Kashmir. I unequivocally condemn the targeted killing of the 3 BJP workers in a terror attack. May Allah grant them place in Jannat & may their families find strength during this difficult time," former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah wrote on Twitter.

"Saddened to hear about the killing of three BJP workers in Kulgam. Condolences to their families. At the end of the day, its people of J&K who pay with their lives because of Government of India's ill thought out policies," said Mehbooba Mufti, another former chief minister.