J&K: Militants Strike BJP Leader’s Residence, Kill Cop in 2nd Attack in a Week

Srinagar: A policeman was killed as suspected militants struck at the residence of a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader in Nowgam area in the outskirts of Srinagar on Thursday, April 1, the second such attack against the party members this week. 

According to Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Vijay Kumar, the attack has been carried out by Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) on the residence of Anwar Khan, a BJP leader who fought in the District Development Council (DDC) elections. 

The slain policeman was identified as Rameez Raja, a resident of Dooru village of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district. He was posted as a guard outside the BJP leader’s residence. At the time of the attack, however, Khan was reportedly not present at his house. 

The police said they have analysed the attack through the CCTV footage and found that the attack was carried out by four militants, one amongst them allegedly clad in a burqa. Rameez was shifted to a hospital in Srinagar but, succumbed on the way.

Image Credit: Kamran Yousuf/Newsclick

"We found out that the burqa-clad militant knocked on the main gate and as soon as the door was opened two militants fired indiscriminately. The fourth militant then decamped with a rifle," IGP Kumar said as the wreath-laying ceremony of the slain cop was underway.

Also read: BJP Leaders Shot Dead in North Kashmir's Bandipora, Police Identify Assailants

The IGP added that two of the militants involved in the attack have been identified as Shahid Khursheed and Ubaid Shafi, both residents of Srinagar and are believed to be affiliated with LeT outfit. 

Earlier, militants had attacked a meeting venue of BJP councillors in North Kashmir’s Sopore area resulting in the death of two councillors and a policeman. In another attack Lawaypora, located in the outskirts of Srinagar, on March 25, militants attacked CRPF men killing two personnel immediately while a third personnel succumbed to his injuries on Monday, March 29. 

State BJP general secretary, Ashok Koul, in a statement said that the police should conduct a thorough security review of all the prominent BJP members.

Image Credit: Kamran Yousuf/Newsclick

“BJP leaders are becoming soft targets in which we are losing policemen as well...Security of lower rung leaders, who are vulnerable and facing threats should also be enhanced so that precious lives are saved,” Koul said.

This is the third militant attack in Srinagar in less than two weeks, in which seven security persons have been killed so far, indicating a sharp rise in militant activities in the city. The security grid has been apprehensive of a possible spike in violence in the city as summer season approaches, officials in the security network told NewsClick.

Also read: J&K: After Attacks and Resignations, BJP Workers Asked Not to 'Venture out'