Srinagar, Aug 5: Suspected militants on Thursday shot dead a BJP Sarpanch at Vessu village in Qazigund block of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
Official sources said the militants fired upon the Sarpanch identified as Sajad Ahmad Khanday near his residence at Vessu, leaving him critically injured before fleeing. He was shifted to GMC Anantnag, they said. Medical Superintendent GMC Dr Mohammad Iqbal Sofi said that Khanday was brought dead to the hospital.
This is the second attack of its kind in less than 48 hours as a BJP Panch Arif Ahmad was critically wounded after militants fired upon him at Akhran Qazigund on the evening of August 4.
Police in a statement issued here said that “Sarpanch was accommodated in secured migrant camp Vesoo but today he went to his house without informing police.”
“Today at about 0930 hours Kulgam Police received information about a (militant) crime incident at Vessu area where (militants) had fired upon a BJP Sarpanch. Senior police officers reached at the crime spot,” a police spokesperson said, adding, “Preliminary investigation revealed that (militants) fired upon the BJP Sarpanch identified as Sajad Ahmad Khanday son of Ali Mohammad resident of Vessu Kulgam due to which he got injured. He was shifted to nearby hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries,” he said, adding, “The Sarpanch was accommodated in secured migrant camp Vessu but today he went to his house without informing police.”
Police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law, he said. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this (militant) crime.”