Former district president of BJP shot dead in terrorist attack in Bandipora town of J&K; Massive search operation launched

In the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a BJP leader, his brother and father were shot dead by terrorists in the heart of Bandipora town of North Kashmir around 9 p.m. last night.

According to police, the incident took place at the shop-cum-residence of BJP leader Wasim Bari, a former District President of the party, when some motorcycle-borne terrorists attacked the three from a close range with a silencer-fitted revolver. The place of incident is barely 10 metres away from the main Police Station in Bandipora.

J&K Director General of Police Dilbagh Singh said that Wasim Bari and his family members were at the shop when the terrorists fired at them. The trio were shifted to the District Hospital in a critical condition where they succumbed to their injuries. Police said that besides Wasim Bari, his brother Umar and father Bashir Ahmad were killed in the firing.

Bandipora Police, in the meantime took at least 10 policemen, which included eight Personal Security Officers who were attached with the BJP leader, into custody and they are being questioned for their absence from the guard duty.

The area was cordoned off and a massive manhunt was launched by the security forces to nab the assailants.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the gruesome killing of Jammu and Kashmir BJP leader Wasim Bari. The Prime Minister enquired about the dastardly killing. In a tweet, Minister in Prime Minister’s office Dr Jitendra Singh said, Mr Modi has extended condolences to the family of Wasim Bari.

BJP President J P Nadda has said that the death of party leader Wasim Bari and his family members in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir was a huge loss for the party and asserted that their sacrifices will not go in vain. Mr Nadda, in a tweet, said that we lost Sheikh Wasim Bari, his father and brother in Bandipora, J&K in a cowardly attack on them. This is a huge loss for the party. The entire party stands with the bereaved family. 

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu has condemned the killings of BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari, his father Bashir Ahmed and brother Umar Bashir, who were killed by the terrorists last night.

In a condolence message, the Lt. Governor has said that the barbaric act of killing innocent people is against humanity and the perpetrators of this cowardly act shall be brought to justice. He expressed his deepest sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.