BJP Leader Shot Dead, Tourist Couple Injured In Twin Terror Attacks In J&K

Srinagar: South Kashmir was rocked by twin militant attacks on the final day of campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls, resulting in the death of a former BJP sarpanch and injuries to a couple from Jaipur.

The first attack took place in Anantnag, where terrorists fired upon Farha, a resident of Jaipur and her husband Tabrez at Yannar. Both victims were quickly rescued and rushed to a local hospital. Farha’s father, Aslam Khan, has appealed to the government for their transfer to AIIMS Delhi for advanced medical treatment.

Shortly after, former BJP sarpanch Aijaz Sheikh was gunned down in Shopian. Authorities have cordoned off both areas and initiated search operations to apprehend the attackers.

Former J&K Chief Minister and PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti condemned the attacks and criticized the central government. “The timing of these attacks given that the South election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI,” she posted on X.

While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a sarpanch in Hurpora, Shopian – the timing of these attacks given that the South election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially… https://t.co/rEa7SMpBGZ

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) May 18, 2024

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also expressed his condemnation. “Very sorry to hear about the twin militant attacks in South Kashmir against tourists & a political worker of the BJP. I unequivocally condemn these deadly attacks. My condolences to the family of Aijaz Ahmed. May Allah grant him place in Jannt. I also pray that Tabrez & Farah, from Jaipur in Rajasthan, make a complete recovery,” Abdullah stated on X.

Very sorry to hear about the twin militant attacks in South Kashmir against tourists & a political worker of the BJP. I unequivocally condemn these deadly attacks. My condolences to the family of Aijaz Ahmed. May Allah grant him place in Jannt. I also pray that Tabrez & Farah,…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 19, 2024

These incidents mark the fourth targeted attacks in Kashmir this year. Previous attacks included the killing of a migrant worker in Anantnag’s Bijbehara and the injury of Dilranjeet Singh from Dehradun in Shopian. In February, two men from Amritsar were shot in Srinagar, with one succumbing to his injuries.

The Lok Sabha elections in Jammu and Kashmir are being held in multiple phases. The Jammu region voted on April 19 and 26, while Srinagar voted on May 13. Baramulla and Anantnag-Rajouri are scheduled for the fifth and sixth phases, respectively.