BJP leader, his brother and father shot dead in JK; his security guards detained

PTI, Jul 9, 2020, 10:23 AM IST

Srinagar: A BJP leader, his brother, and father were shot dead by terrorists in the heart of Bandipore town of North Kashmir Wednesday, July 8 night, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to arrest seven policemen for alleged negligence in protecting him, officials said.

“The incident took place at the shop-cum-residence of BJP leader Wasim Bari, earlier district president of the party, where some motorcycle-borne terrorists attacked the three from a close range with a silencer-fitted revolver,” they said.

“The place of incident is barely 10 metres away from the main police station,” they said.

J&K Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said Bari and his family members at the shop when the terrorists fired at them. The trio was shifted to the district hospital in a critical condition where they succumbed to their injuries.

Besides Bari, his brother Umar and father Bashir Ahmad were killed in the firing, police said.

Seven policemen have been arrested for alleged negligence in protecting Bari, police said.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah expressed his condolences over the incident. “I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated,” he tweeted.

Former Bandipore MLA Usman Majid condemned the incident and demanded a thorough probe into the alleged deteriorating law and order situation in Kashmir valley.

“How can terrorists comes so close and hit their target which is barely 10 metres away from the police station in the town,” an agitated Majid, who is a founder leader of JK Apni Party, said.

He said that he would take up the matter with Lt Governor of Jammu and Kashmir after consultations with his party leadership.

Former MLC and senior BJP leader of the union territory Surinder Ambardar said, “It is very unfortunate that Pakistan”s frustration is visible by destabilizing the democratic institutions whereas the BJP has made its visible imprints in the Kashmir valley.”

The Congress and the PDP also condemned the incident.

“Distraught at the recurring spate of killing of political workers in Kashmir. While we express our unconditional sympathies with the family, the administration has squarely failed in ensuring adequate security arrangements amid deteriorating security conditions,” the PDP tweeted.