SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, March 27 (Xinhua) -- Unidentified gunmen shot dead a 24-year-old youth Wednesday in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.

The youth was fired upon at village Kachdoora of Shopian district, about 52 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

"Unidentified gunmen today shot dead a youth namely Tanveer Ahmad Dar near Masjid Noor at Kachdoora village this afternoon here," a police official posted in Shopian said. "Though he was removed to hospital but doctors there declared him brought dead."

Soon after the incident a joint contingent of army and police launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area to nab the attackers.

Police suspected involvement of militants in the killing.

Days ago, a woman special police officer (SPO) was shot dead by gunmen outside her home in the district.

Militants in the region usually target families and individuals for their possible links with police and defense agencies. Even people having associations with pro-India political parties and police are targeted at times.

A guerilla war has been going on between militants and Indian troops stationed in the region since 1989.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their Independence from Britain, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.