Security forces killed a suspected Islamic separatist in Indian-ruled Kashmir on Sunday, ending a night-long siege at a police camp two days before the second round of an election in the Himalayan state. In separate incidents, Indian police said a ruling National Conference party worker was shot dead overnight just outside Srinagar, the summer capital of the state, and at least 11 people were wounded in a grenade blast south of the city on Sunday.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, speaking in New Delhi ahead of Tuesday's polling, said the violence suggested Pakistan had not delivered on a pledge to curb Kashmiri nationalist fighters, who are based in its territory and have vowed to sabotage the poll.

Two fighters forced their way into the police camp in Srinagar Saturday, killing one policeman and wounding eight others. A hunt was on for the second man Sunday.

The base houses hundreds of police families and the attack sparked fears of a repeat of a May raid on an army camp in which 34 people died, including many wives and children of soldiers.

The May strike brought India and Pakistan close to war.

KASHMIRI NATIONALIST FIGHTES ADOPT SCARE TACTICS TO DERAIL ELECTIONS

Kashmiri nationalist fighters have vowed to derail the state election, which began on September 16 and ends on October 8.

They have staged a series of high-profile assassinations and attacks in a bid to scare off voters and political workers.

More than 470 people, including a state minister and about 30 political activists, have died in poll-related violence since India called the election on August 2.

Shadowy Kashmiri nationalist group Al-Arfeen claimed responsibility for the attack on the police camp. The same group has said it carried out some of a series of assassinations of political activists this week, as well as the slaying of a state minister this month.

New Delhi regards the level of violence in Jammu and Kashmir as a critical indicator of Pakistan's commitment to its pledge to stop militants crossing into the state. Pakistan says Kashmiri nationalist fighters' incursions have halted except for rogue elements.

Srinagar and two other districts, including the state's second city of Jammu, vote in Tuesday's second round, which includes several volatile areas. Campaigning ends Sunday.

India hopes the election will bolster its rule in the disputed province.

Pakistan dismisses the poll as a farce. It wants Kashmiris to vote on whether they want to stay with India or join Pakistan and says the election is no substitute for this.

Last Monday's first round of voting in many of the state's most dangerous areas was largely peaceful. Officials have said violence could rise over the remaining three rounds -- held on each of the next three Tuesdays.

The main separatist alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat (Freedom) Conference, is not running in the election and has urged a boycott. Victory for the ruling National Conference, a pro-Delhi Kashmiri party, a virtual certainty.

India and Pakistan have massed a million men and heavy weapons along the border since the parliament attack.

PHOTO CAPTION

Indian policemen talk near the dead body of their colleague Ghulam Mohammed, in a hospital after an attack in Srinagar, September 21, 2002. Police said that he was killed and four other soldiers were wounded when separatist militants attacked a highly guarded police residential colony in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, on Saturday evening. (Fayaz Kabli/Reuter