J&K: Senior BJP-leader, brother, shot at point-blank range by unknown-assailants
Anil Parihar, state secretary of BJP in Jammu-and-kashmir'>Jammu and Kashmir, and his brother Ajeet were killed by unknown assailants in the Jammu's Kishtwar town on Thursday night. The brothers were returning home after closing their shop when assailants shot them at point-blank range. They were rushed to Kishtwar district hospital where doctors declared them dead. The murders prompted angry protests in the area.
Anil's association with BJP was three decades old
An officer in know said it seemed the assailants were keeping a watch on the Parihar brothers and attacked on seeing an opportunity. Anil's association with the BJP was over three decades old. In 2008, he contested Assembly elections on the J&K National Panthers Party ticket but returned to BJP after his brief stint. Ajeet was a state forest employee and ran their shop.
To keep protests at check, curfew was imposed
In the violent protests which followed, two police officers were injured. Kishtwar is a communally sensitive area and police said they were probing both the 'militancy and local angle'. Kishtwar deputy commissioner Angrez Singh Rana imposed a curfew as a precautionary measure after reports of vandalism emerged. Internet services have been suspended in the area. Notably, panchayat elections will begin from November 17.
Terrorists won't be spared, says BJP leader
The BJP condemned the killings with state party chief Ravinder Raina saying the cowards attacked them at point blank range. "The terrorists involved in it will not be spared. In this hour of grief, the entire BJP and the countrymen stand by their families," he said. Former J&K CM and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah in a tweet expressed his condolences.
