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BJP councillor shot dead in J&K; previously unknown group claims responsibility
Rakesh Pandita, a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was shot dead while his friend Mushtaq Ahmad’s daughter suffered injuries in the shooting and was hospitalised in a critical condition
Srinagar: A previously unknown group has claimed responsibility for the killing of a councillor in Jammu and Kashmir’s Tral on Wednesday night when he was visiting a friend’s house on his way back from Jammu city without his security cover.
Rakesh Pandita, 56, a leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was shot dead while his friend Mushtaq Ahmad’s daughter suffered injuries in the shooting and was hospitalised in a critical condition. Pandita was cremated in Jammu on Thursday.
People’s Anti Fascist Front (PAFF), the group, claimed responsibility for the killing in a statement that accused Pandita of creating a network of informers, drug trafficking and “immoral activities”. It added it was “keeping an eye on the activities of these forces”.
“He [Pandita] had gone to Jammu and left PSOs [Personal Security Officers] in Kashmir. After returning from Jammu, he went to Tral without his PSOs to meet his friend... The investigations are going on,” said a police officer, who did not want to be named.
Police said PAFF appears to be a front of militant organisations active in south Kashmir and added security forces have cordoned off the attack scene and launched a search operation to nab the assailants. They cited the standard operating procedure and said Pandita should have avoided going to his native village without his security cover, which was provided to him along with secured accommodation in Srinagar.
At least 12 local bodies members have been killed since elections at the grassroots level were held in 2018. The members were promised security, but many allege that it was not provided to all. In March, two councillors and one PSO was killed in an attack on the Municipal Council office in Sopore in Baramulla district.
“We were promised adequate security... unfortunately, only people affiliated to the BJP or the parties close to New Delhi have been given security,” said a councillor from Sopore, requesting anonymity.
Police issued fresh instructions to political workers and leaders against moving without their security covers after the killing of Pandita, whose body was taken to Jammu for his last rites.
BJP leader Altaf Thakur, who is also from Tral, said 17 workers of their party have been killed over the last three years. “Most of the councillors and panchayat members have been provided security. These attacks would not deter us from carrying out political activities.”
Police were investigating why the PSOs were not accompanying Pandita and said action could be taken against them.
Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing saying such senseless acts of violence have only brought misery. “Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K [Jammu and Kashmir]. My condolences to the family and may his soul rest in peace,” she tweeted.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha echoed her. “Saddened to hear about the terror attack on the Councillor Shri Rakesh Pandita at Tral, Pulwama. I strongly condemn the attack. My condolences to the bereaved family in this time of grief,” he tweeted. Sinha added “terrorists will never succeed in their nefarious designs” and those responsible for such heinous acts shall be brought to justice.
