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Plans to update security cover for political leaders in south Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir police are updating the security cover provided to leaders and activists of political parties in the militancy-hit Valley’s southern region after
Jammu and Kashmir police are updating the security cover provided to leaders and activists of political parties in the militancy-hit Valley’s southern region after state BJP’s youth unit chief Gowhar Bhat was found murdered.
Bhat was found dead with his throat slit in the Kilora area of Shopian on Thursday evening, the second political killing in the district in 20 days.
“We are reviewing and updating the security of all mainstream political workers in the district,” Shopian police superintendent Shriram Ambarkar said.
The officer refused to give the number of leaders or workers whose security would be enhanced.
Shopian has become a headache for security forces of late, though new army camps were built in the area to counter growing militant activities after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July last year.
“Prima facie it seems a militant action,” Ambarkar said and refused sharing any details about the investigation.
Bhat was killed after suspected militants on October 16 shot dead Mohammad Ramzan Sheikh, a worker of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Shopian.
Hundreds of people, wailing and mourning, participated in the funeral of Bhat. He was laid to rest in Bongam after his funeral prayers were offered in Eidgah Bongam.
Locals said no prominent politician was present in his funeral. Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the killing.
Kashmir’s BJP leaders blamed militants for Bhat’s abduction and killing, saying he was active and played an important role in organising the party’s first-ever youth convention in Srinagar on October 22.
