PULWAMA; At least five Panchayat members in Awantipora area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have announced their resignations following the killing of a Sarpanch’s father by unknown gunmen last week.

On Friday last, unidentified gunmen shot dead 82-year-old Ghulam Mohammad Dar, father of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Sarpanch Mohammad Shaban Dar in Dogripora village in Awantipora.

Official sources said that Sarpanch Mohammad Shaban Dar and Panches Jameela Bano, Mohammad Shaban Khan, Mohammad Akram Dar, all associated with opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Panch Abdul Rashid Dar of the ruling National Conference made announcement at the locals Masjids after congregational prayers were offered last Friday. The Panchayat members had also put posters in their respective areas in Dogripora village announcing their resignation. The posters by the Panchayat members also announced disassociation from pro-India parties.