BJP sarpanch shot dead in south Kashmir's Kulgam

They said sarpanch Sajjad Ahmad Khanday, who was also the vice president of Kulgam district, was fired upon by militants from a close range when he was returning his home at Qazigund this morning.

Khanday, who had received five bullets, was immediately rushed to district hospital, Anantnag, where doctors declared him brought-dead.

The attack came a day after when BJP leaders and workers celebrated the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and 35A on Wednesday.

Security forces have launched a massive hunt to trace the militants responsible for the killing of Khanday.

BJP spokespersons Altaf Thakur confirming the death of Khanday described it as a very unfortunate and heinous crime.

We will not be cowed down by such attacks, he said adding BJP leaders and workers will continue to work for the development of Jammu and Kashmir.

Thakur condemned the killing and said militants were attacking unarmed persons who are working for the downtrodden and poor people of the society. About the security of sarpanch and panches, BJP spokesman said it was not possible to provide individual security to everyone.

However, he said, the majority of people facing threat have been provided security in the valley.

A day before the first anniversary of abrogation of Article 370 and 35 A, militants shot at and critically wounded a BJP sarpanch Arif Ahmad at Mir Bazar Kulgam on Aug 4.