J&K: Senior BJP-leader, brother, shot at point-blank range by unknown-assailants
What's the story
Anil Parihar, state secretary of BJP in Jammu-and-kashmir'>Jammu and Kashmir, and his brother Ajeet were killed by unknown assailants in the Jammu's Kishtwar town on Thursday night. The brothers were returning home after closing their shop when assailants shot them at point-blank range. They were rushed to Kishtwar district hospital where doctors declared them dead. The murders prompted angry protests in the area.
The brothers
Anil's association with BJP was three decades old
An officer in know said it seemed the assailants were keeping a watch on the Parihar brothers and attacked on seeing an opportunity. Anil's association with the BJP was over three decades old. In 2008, he contested Assembly elections on the J&K National Panthers Party ticket but returned to BJP after his brief stint. Ajeet was a state forest employee and ran their shop.
Aftermath
To keep protests at check, curfew was imposed
In the violent protests which followed, two police officers were injured. Kishtwar is a communally sensitive area and police said they were probing both the 'militancy and local angle'. Kishtwar deputy commissioner Angrez Singh Rana imposed a curfew as a precautionary measure after reports of vandalism emerged. Internet services have been suspended in the area. Notably, panchayat elections will begin from November 17.
Reactions
Terrorists won't be spared, says BJP leader
The BJP condemned the killings with state party chief Ravinder Raina saying the cowards attacked them at point blank range. "The terrorists involved in it will not be spared. In this hour of grief, the entire BJP and the countrymen stand by their families," he said. Former J&K CM and NC Vice President Omar Abdullah in a tweet expressed his condolences.
Twitter Post
Shahnawaz Hussain remembers his old friend
shocked and deeply grieved by the death of my old friend and colleague shri Anil Parihar and his brother Shri Ajit Parihar in kishwar,JK..This is a big irreparable loss to the party n nation.May theit families get the strength to bear the loss.. pic.twitter.com/ktMznIP9uT
— Shahnawaz Hussain (@ShahnawazBJP) November 1, 2018
Twitter Post
The police will leave no stone unturned, promises Rajnath Singh
Shocked pained by the killing of JK State BJP leader Sh. Anil Parihar his brother. My heart goes out to the bereaved family. Spoke to Advisor to JK Governor, Sh Vijay Kumar regarding the incident. The police will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice.
— राजनाथ सिंह (@rajnathsingh) November 1, 2018