Sarpanch shot dead by terrorists in Kashmir, second killing in 48 hours

Sarpanch, Shabir Ahmad Mir, was fired upon by militants at the Audoora area of Kulgam in south Kashmir at around 8.20 pm.

“In this terror incident, he sustained critical gunshot injuries and was immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for the treatment where he succumbed to his injuries,” a police spokesman said.

The area has been cordoned off and a search is going on to trace the attackers.

Police have registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the circumstances which lead to this terror crime,” the spokesman said.

Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir Vijay Kumar said the deceased was given accommodation in a secured hotel in Srinagar. "He had left the hotel and reached his home without informing police," Kumar said.

IGP has advised all police protectees to follow the standard operating procedures. This is the third killing of a panchayat member in the last ten days and the second in the last 48 hours.

On March 2, a panch Mohammad Yaqoob Dar was shot dead by militants in Kulgam district. A week later, on March 9, sarpanch Sameer Ahmad Bhat was killed in Khonmoh area on Srinagar outskirts.

The killing has been widely condemned by the political parties.

National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said that he wishes his death "was the last one we would see but sadly that will not be.”

“..Political workers get killed, we offer our condolences, life goes on and then the same thing happens again. There is a mind-numbing pattern to these killings & our reactions. Sadly nothing changes,” Omar tweeted.

Peoples Democratic Party said, “Is this normalcy? Sarpanchs are assassinated at will and except for condolences, the government has nothing concrete to offer. Our thoughts, prayers and condolences are with the family in this hour of grief."

BJP termed it an attack on democracy. “Strongly condemn yet another barbaric and cowardly act wherein another public representative and the grassroots worker Shabir Ahmed Mir was killed at Odoura, in Kulgam district of South Kashmir."

"It's an attack on democracy and such attacks won't be tolerated,” the party reacted.

JK BJP spokesman Altaf Thakur said Apni Party leader Altaf Bukhari termed it an inhuman attack.

In the meantime, an encounter is underway at Chewakalan in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. The encounter erupted a day after two local Lashkar-e-Toiba militants were killed in a gunfight in the same district. Three soldiers were also wounded in the Thursday encounter.