He was travelling without security: IGP
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 2: Militants this evening shot dead a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and critically injured the daughter of his friend in Tral area of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Inspector General of Police Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, told Excelsior that three militants fired upon Municipal Councillor of Tral town, Rakesh Pandita son of Somnath Pandita. He was critically injured in the militant attack and was removed to a nearby medical facility but was declared dead by doctors.
The IGP said that he had gone to visit his friend Mushtaq Ahmad whose daughter, Asifa Mushtaq, was also injured in the attack.
Kumar said that Pandita was provided secure accommodation at Srinagar and was guarded by two PSOs. “The Councillor was not accompanied by PSOs during his visit to Tral”, he said.
The IGP said that massive operation has been launched in the area to nab the militants responsible for the killing of the BJP leader.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today strongly condemned the killing of BJP leader. “Saddened to hear about the terror attack on the Councillor Shri Rakesh Pandita at Tral, Pulwama. I strongly condemn the attack. My condolences to bereaved family in this time of grief,” he said, adding, “militants will never succeed in their nefarious designs, and those responsible for such heinous acts shall be brought to justice.”
Former Chief Minister and president of the People’s Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, condemned the killing of BJP leader. “Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit a has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K. My condolences to the family & may his soul rest in peace”, she tweeted.
BJP UT president Ravinder Raina has also strongly condemned the killing of Pandita and called for stern action against the militants.
Chairman of Peoples Conference, Sajjad Lone, while condemning the killing said that gun culture is a curse.
“Yet again gun men attack on a non-combatant. This gun is a curse. Just ponder. Since the day this menace came to Kashmir. What have we seen? In a nutshell total disempowerment of Kashmiris. Dear gunmen can you please go back where you came from. We have had enough”, he tweeted.
Meanwhile, two militant associates were arrested and four persons were detained under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Kashmir today.
Police arrested a militant associate in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district today and recovered incriminating material from his possession.
A police spokesman said that acting on a specific information, a special joint checkpoint was established by Police and 43Bn CRPF at Harren Soibugh area of Budgam.
“During checking, officers apprehended a militant associate identified as Fayaz Ahmed Bhat son of Mohammad Amin Bhat of Hakarmula Budgam linked with proscribed militant outfit LeT,” he said, adding that preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested militant associate was providing shelter, logistics and other material support including transportation of arms and ammunition to the active militants of LeT in various areas of Budgam.
“The arrested militant associate has been in touch with the PaK militant commanders through various social media platforms and was also in constant touch with LeT self-styled militant commanders in Kashmir”, he said.
“Incriminating material including posters of proscribed militant outfit LeT were recovered from the possession. Accordingly, a case under FIR number 152/2021 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Budgam and investigation into the matter has been initiated,” police said.
Police in Bandipora arrested a militant associate of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) in North Kashmir’s Bandipora district and one grenade and 50 live AK series rounds were recovered from his possession.
A police spokesman said that acting on a specific tip off about anti-national activity in the general area of Bandipora, a naka was laid at Putushai by a joint team of 14RR, 3rd CRPF and Police Bandipora.
“A suspect, who gave his name as Irshad Ahmad Mir, son of Mohammad Yousuf Mir of Onagam, was approaching the naka in a suspicious manner was waylaid by the joint security forces and his personal search was carried out,” he said.
“During detailed questioning, the person revealed that he was working as an associate of Lashkar-e-Taiba and on basis of his confession one grenade and 50 live AK series rounds were recovered, the statement said, adding that he revealed that the said ammunition was handed over to him to effect a militant strike in the general area of Bandipora”, the spokesman said.
“The arrested man is a history sheeter who has a chronic history of being involved in anti-national and militant activities. In this regard, a case has been registered under the relevant provisions of law in Police Station Bandipora and further investigation is underway,” police said.
Police today detained four individuals under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district for sloganeering during the funeral of a youth killed in a road accident last month.
Police said that four individuals have been booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in Bumhama, Kupwara.
He said that as of now only four arrests have been made in the case registered under UAPA.
Police said that on May 28 a youth, Mohammad Amin Dar, belonging to Bumhama, was killed in a road accident and at the funeral prayers the next morning some youth who took part in the last rites raised slogans following which a case was registered under relevant sections.
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