Policemen tasked with protecting slain J&K BJP leader Sheikh Wasim and his family arrested

Police said the attack was carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Sheikh, his father and brother were killed by terrorists in the Bandipora district of the Union Territory on Wednesday night, drawing condemnation from all political outfits of the valley.

Terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing on the trio, who were sitting at a shop, injuring them grievously.

None of the policemen, deployed to provide security to Wasim, who was a BJP district president, were present during the attack.

All three succumbed to their injuries after they were rushed to a hospital.

Condemnation

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference (NC) leader, Omar Abdullah, tweeted, "Sorry to hear about the murderous terror attack on the BJP functionaries & their father in Bandipore earlier this evening. I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated."

Iltija Mufti, who operates her detained mother and former Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti's Twitter handle, tweeted, "Cycle of violence in Kashmir continues to claim lives.Deepest condolences to his family."

Jammu and Kashmir Workers Party chief Mir Junaid reacted to the killing in strong words, "Burhan might be a martyr to a few radicalised terror lovers but Waseem and his family are the martyrs for 130 crore people.They cannot stop us."

BJP national president Jagat Prakash Nadda tweeted, "We lost Sheikh Waseem Bari,his father & brother in Bandipora, J&K today in a cowardly attack on them.This is a huge loss for the party. My deepest condolences are with the family.The entire Party stands with the bereaved family. I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain."

Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Ghulam Ahmad Mir tweeted, "Condemned the attack on @BJP4JnK leader Wasim Bari & his family members. The Congress Party expressed anguish over this highly deplorable act and demanded exemplary punishment to killers."