Srinagar: Sakina Itoo, Kashmir's leading female politician, never thought she would drop out of college to join government. And she never thought that she would be Islamic rebels' top target for assassination.

The 30-year-old Itoo, the only woman in the Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, has already survived four attempts on her life since launching her re-election campaign earlier this month.

The Tourism Minister's seat in Noorabad is in the Southern Anantnag district, which goes to the polls October 1 with three other districts in the third of four rounds to elect the 87-member state Legislature.

Itoo has had two miraculous escapes in mine explosions that targetted her official motorcades. Two security officers and two civilians were killed in the blasts.

Her house has also been attacked twice, injuring four people inside. She was not at home during either assault.

Itoo said she was puzzled as to why she was a top target of Islamic militants, who have vowed to disrupt the election.

"I really don't know why they are only targetting me. There are many others campaigning in this area," she said.

The first attack on her motorcade was claimed by a little-known militant group called Lashkar-e-Jabbar. The second was claimed by Hizbul Mujahideen.

"Our target was not Itoo but her security escort," a Hizbul spokesman told reporters after the September 21 mine attack.

The attacks have, unsurprisingly, scared Itoo, people close to her said. Her house has been fortified, with visitors allowed entry only after a thorough frisking by security forces.

The attacks bring back bad memories for Itoo, whose father Wali Mohammad Itoo, the Speaker of the state Legislature, was assassinated by suspected militants in 1994 in Jammu.

Itoo had planned to become a doctor, but after the assassination she was thrust into politics. She has no brothers, who would have been more likely choices for office in male-dominated Kashmir.

The state's ruling National Conference party fielded her as a candidate in the 1996 Assembly polls.