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Suspected Muslim militants killed a former guerrila commander who had engaged in peace talks with India six years ago, a police spokesman said Thursday.

Ghulam Mohiudin Lone was fatally shot Thursday near his home in Sogam in northern Kupwara district by at least two attackers, he said.

Lone had served as the "commander" of a pro-Pakistan separatist group before he surrendered and floated a regional Kashmiri political party.

He was one of five guerrilla commanders who opened joint talks in 1996 with then Indian home minister S. B. Chavhan, but the nascent dialogue was intensely opposed by other guerrilla forces.

Lone's brother Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, a former Kashmir state law minister, was shot dead by militants in Sogam village while he was campaigning for the provincial balloting in September.

India's Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani condemned the former guerrilla's assassination.

Both the slain law minister and his brother had taken a firm stand with regard to anti-India elements, Advani said.

"This only indicates that anti-India forces continue to be active" in Kashmir, he added.

Violence roiled elections in the restive province, claimed by both India and Pakistan, between September 16 and October 8.

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