LeT behind the attack, PSO suspended: IGP
Political leaders condemn killings
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, Aug 9: Suspected gunmen on Monday shot dead a BJP Sarpanch and his wife at Lal Chowk in Anantnag district of south Kashmir.
An official told Kashmir Despatch that gunmen barged inside a rented accommodation of the BJP leader Ghulam Rasool Dar (Sarpanch) of Redwani Kulgam at Lal Chowk Anantnag and fired indiscriminately.
Both Dar and his wife Jawahira Begum received critical injuries and were taken to Government Medical College Anantnag, where they were declared brought dead, the officials added.
Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kashmir Vijay Kumar said that BJP Sarpanch and his wife (a Panch), killed in a militant attack in Anantnag district were staying in a secure hotel accommodation until recently and were allowed to stay at their house on their own request.
The top police officer who visited the spot after the attack said Lashker-e-Toiba was behind the attack, killing Dar and wife Jawahira, from Redwani Kulgam.
He added “PSO has been placed under suspension with immediate effect,”
Police Version
Today at about 1600hrs Anantnag Police received information about a terror crime incident at Lalchowk area of District Anantnag where militants had fired upon BJP Sarpanch and his wife, a Panch. IGP Kashmir, DIG SKR and SSP Anantnag reached at the terror crime spot.
Preliminary investigation revealed that terrorists barged inside the rented accommodation of BJP Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool Dar son of Ghulam Hassan Dar resident of Redwani Kulgam at Lalchowk, Anantnag and fired indiscriminately from pistol. In this terror crime incident BJP Sarpanch and his wife Jawhara Begum received critical gunshot injuries, who were immediately shifted to hospital, where both were declared brought dead.
Although the deceased was provided a secured accommodation at Snow cap hotel Kulgam and both stayed there for a short period but they had been continuously insisting to stay at their house at Anantnag Town and also submitted an undertaking in this regard. On their request they were allowed to stay at said house in Anantnag. He was also provided with one PSO who however was found absent from duty at the time of incident. The said PSO has been placed under suspension.
Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. IGP Kashmir said that two bike borne terrorists of LeT outfit were involved in this barbaric terror incident.
Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime. Area has been cordoned and search in the area is going on.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on Monday visited the family of Constable Nissar Ahmad Wagay who was martyred in a militant attack.
The DGP was accompanied by ADGP Sunil Kumar, IGP Kashmir Zone Vijay Kumar and other senior police officers, a police spokesman said.
The DGP expressed solidarity with the bereaved family and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul who gave supreme sacrifice of his life while on duty, he said.
Wagay was martyred while two others sustained injuries on Saturday in a militant attack on a police party at Pombai in Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district of south Kashmir.
While interacting with the family, Singh said the whole police pariwar’ stands with them and shares their grief and sorrow. The DGP assured that every support would be provided to the family.
The spokesman said Wagay has left behind old parents, an unemployed brother and two elder sisters who are of marriageable age and the policeman was preparing for their marriage.
“The DGP consoled the bereaved family and said that JKP Pariwar would be there to shoulder the responsibility and all required support shall be extended, the spokesman said.
“Some local elders and youth also met the DGP and praised the deceased constable for his people’s friendly conduct and helping nature to everyone.
They also requested the DGP to provide help to the family as the martyred constable was only earning a hand in the family,” he said.
Political Leaders Condemn Killings
While condemning the killings National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah said the terrible news of the killings is heart wrenching. “I condemn the killings unreservedly and in unequivocal terms. Such dastardly acts don’t augur well for the furtherance of lasting peace in Kashmir. I express my sympathies with the kith and kin of the bereaved at this difficult time and pray for peace to the departed,” he said.
Party Vice President Omar Abdullah, general Secretary Ali Mohammad Sagar, Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani, MP Hasnain Masoodi, District President Abdul Majeed Larmi, spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar have also condemned the killings and expressed condolences with the bereaved.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference Chairman Sajad Gani Lone said: “Strongly condemn the killing of BJP Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool Dar and his spouse. Yet again a Kashmiri family is a victim of violence. Yet again more addition to the community of orphans and hapless victims of gun. May the killers rot in hell”, he said in his condolence message.
JKPC General Secretary Imran Ansari also condemned the senseless act of violence. “Unequivocally condemn the dastardly killing of the Sarpanch Ghulam Rasool and his wife in Anantnag. The killing of mainstream workers and leaders for their political affiliations is the worst violation of human rights. Such killings only add to the suffering of Kashmiris,” he said.
Apni Party General Secretary Rafi Ahmad Mir strongly condemned the killing of a Sarpanch and his wife in Anantnag.
In a statement issued here, Mir termed the incident as highly deplorable and demanded that the perpetrators of this heinous act should be brought to justice.
“Apni Party strongly condemns this ghastly incident which resulted in the death of Sarpanch of Redwani-Kulgam, Ghulam Rasool Dar and his wife in cold blood. Such mindless attacks shall achieve nothing except for more miseries to the common people,” Mir remarked.
Apni Party General Secretary said that there is no justification to kill an innocent and violence in all its manifestation has no place in any civilized society across the world.
BJP J&K spokesman Altaf Thakur condemned the killing of BJP district president Kisan Morcha for Kulgam, who was also a sarpanch and his wife in a militant attack at KP Road Anantnag.
In a statement, Altaf Thakur while terming the killing as barbaric and cowardly, he said that attacking and killing innocent people will lead to nowhere and the acts reflect the frustration on part of militants.
Thakur expressed his sympathies with the bereaved family and urged police to nab the attackers and punish them sternly.
