New Delhi: A Jammu & Kashmir Police trainee constable and a senior BJP activist were killed in separate incidents by unidentified gunmen, casting a shadow of grief over the holy festival of Eid-ul-Azha in Kashmir.
Fayaz Ahmad Shah, policeman in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, was shot dead by terrorists near his home at Awgam, police said.
Shah was undergoing a recruitment training course at Talwara and had come home to celebrate Eid with his family.
Reports said gunmen opened fire on the trainee police constable when he was returning home after offering Eid prayers, leaving him critically injured.
A police officer confirmed the incident and said that the constable was immediately shifted to nearby hospital where he succumbed.
“Militants are involved in his killing and a case under relevant sections of law has been initiated with regard to the incident,” he said.
Shah, who was earlier working as a special police officer (SPO), was recently promoted as constable, reported GNS news agency.
In a separate incident, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker was found dead today after he was kidnapped by suspected terrorists in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
The bullet-riddled body of Shabir Ahmad Bhat was found in the fields at Rakh-e-Litter area of Kupwara, a police official said.
Bhat was abducted by suspected terrorists on Tuesday night.
Bhat was also reportedly provided with armed guards for protection. In a statement, BJP’s Kashmir unit condemned the killing.
“Pained to learn about the brutal murder of our constituency president & IT social media in-charge Pulwama Shabir Ahmed Bhat in Pulwama,” said a party spokesman, in a statement.
“Our deepest condolences to his family. Militants must realise that they cannot stop the youth of the valley from choosing a better future for themselves.”
BJP president Amit Shah condoled the death in a tweet. “The sacrifice of our @BJP4JnK karyakartas will not go in vain. Entire BJP stands firmly with Shabir Ahmad Bhat’s family in this hour of grief. My deepest condolences. May god give his family the strength to bear this tragic loss,” he said.
Anguished to learn about the killing of BJP karyakarta, Shabir Ahmad Bhat by terrorists in Pulwama (J&K). This act of cowardice is highly condemnable. Extremists cannot stop the youth of Kashmir from choosing a better future for themselves. This cycle of violence won’t last long. pic.twitter.com/hAOb4ptPeo
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) August 22, 2018
(With PTI inputs)