BJP municipal councilor killed, woman injured by suspected militants in Tral

Srinagar: A BJP municipal councilor was killed and a woman was injured by suspected militants at Tral in south Kashmir district of Pulwama late on Wednesday evening.his is the latest in a string of deadly attacks targeting BJP politicians.

Meanwhile, a police spokesperson said that despite being provided two PSOs and a secure hotel accommodation in Srinagar, the councilor went to Tral without any security.

Official sources said that three suspected militants fired at the BJP municipal councilor Rakesh Pandita at Tral late on Wednesday evening. “Pandita and a woman were critically injured in the incident,” they said, adding the wounded were rushed to a hospital where the BJP leader was declared brought dead.

They said the suspected militants managed to escape from the spot under the cover of darkness, adding security forces have been rushed to the area and a search operation has been launched to nab the attackers. “Pandita was visiting his friend at Tral,” they said.

“Militants shot dead one councillor namely Rakesh Pandita in Tral. Despite provided two PSOs and secured hotel accommodation in Srinagar, the said councillor went to Tral without PSOs. Area cordoned off & search is going on,” Kashmir Zone Police, which is the official twitter handle of J&K police, tweeted.

Pandita's killing is the third attack targeting BJP members in the conflict-stricken region this year.

In March, militants stormed a local municipal council's office, killing two BJP councilors and a police officer.

Widespread condemnation

Wednesday's attack was condemned by Kashmiri politicians from across party lines.

"Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandita has been shot dead by militants," said Mehbooba Mufti, a former chief minister of the erstwhile state, whose status was changed in 2019. "These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K [Jammu and Kashmir]. My condolences to the family & may his soul rest in peace."

"BJP councilor Rakesh Pandita joins a long list of mainstream politicians targeted and assassinated in Kashmir because of their association with electoral politics," said Omar Abdullah, another former chief minister. "I unequivocally condemn this attack & convey my heartfelt condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace."

Manoj Sinha, New Delhi's administrator in the region, vowed action against the assailants responsible for the attack.

"Terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious designs, and those responsible for such heinous acts shall be brought to justice," he said on Twitter.

Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, and the two countries have fought three wars over it. Both countries control parts of the region but claim all of it.

In 2019, New Delhi stripped the region of its special constitutional status that granted it partial autonomy, revoking its statehood to impose direct rule.