BJP leader, his father, brother killed by terrorists in Kashmir

Condemnations pour in; Seven PSOs detained

SRINAGAR: In a gruesome act of terror, a BJP leader, his brother and father were shot dead by terrorists in the heart of Bandipore town of North Kashmir Wednesday night, prompting the Jammu and Kashmir authorities to arrest seven policemen for alleged negligence in protect him.

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.

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

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

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora, Basheer Ahmad Khan informed that the trio was brought to the hospital at around 08:45 pm. “They had received bullets in their heads that caused their death,” he said.

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

“Pertinently the deceased was a protected person and 10 policemen were deployed for his security but none was kept along by him at the time of incident. The men deployed for his security are being detained for negligence under police act to investigate why he was without any security at the time of incident,” a police spokesman said.

The security forces have cordoned off the area and massive manhunt has been launched to nab the terrorists.

The incident drew widespread condemnations from across the country, cutting across the political, religious and regional lines.

Condemning the attack, MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh said that Prime Minister, Narendra Modi has extended condolences to the bereaved family.

"Over the telephone, PM @narendramodi enquired about the gruesome killing of Wasim Bari. He also extended condolences to the family of Wasim," Singh tweeted.

BJP president J P Nadda said that the death of Bari and his family members was a "huge loss" for the party and asserted that their sacrifices will not go in vain.

"This is a huge loss for the party. My deepest condolences are with the family. The entire Party stands with the bereaved family. I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain," Nadda tweeted.

Party’s J&K chief Ravinder Raina called Bari ‘BJP's Tiger in Kashmir Valley’.

“They lived like Tigers, They were the Soldiers of Bharat Mata,” Raina 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 through probe into the alleged deteriorating law and order situation the 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 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 destadlising 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.