Killing of BJP leader, father & brother security lapse, ten SPO detained, investigation taken up

Srinagar, Jul 9 : Admitting that killing of a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and his father and brother by militants in Bandipora on Wednesday night was a security lapse, a senior police officer said that all the ten police personnel deployed for protection of politician have been detained and investigation taken up.
BJP leader 38-year-old Wasim Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad brother Umar Bashir were fired upon by militants from a very close range when they were sitting in their shop adjacent to their house at Bandipora in north Kashmir last night. However, not a single Special Police Officer (SPOs) deployed for Bari’s protection were present on the spot when the militants struck and managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Police spokesman said all the three injured were rushed to District hospital where they were declared brought dead.
The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora Dr Bashir Ahmad said three persons with bullet injuries were brought to district hospital last night. They were declared brought dead on arrival, he said adding later postmortem of all the three was conducted and bodies will be handed over to their relatives after completing other medical and legal formalities on Thursday.
He said Bari was protected person and ten policemen were deployed for his security. However, he said, none of the police personnel was kept along by him at the time of incident.
Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. Investigation is in progress and police continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this crime besides why he was without any security at the time of incident.
The men deployed for his security are being detained for negligence under police act.
Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said it was a security lapse. All ten policemen have been arrested and investigation taken up, Mr Kumar said.
BJP leader Bari was entitled to one Personnel Security Officers (PSO) but was allotted two in view of threat perception. The remaining eight were from executive wing of the police.