BJP leader Wasim Bari & his father-brother shot dead by militants

Suspected militants on Wednesday night killed a BJP leader, his father and brother in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, official sources said.They said suspected militant barged into the shop of former Bandipora president of BJP Wasim Bari and fired at him indiscriminately. "Bari, his father and brother, who were present inside the shop, were critically injured in the attack," they said.

They said the injured were immediately taken to a hospital where they succumbed. "The militants managed to escape from the spot under the cover of darkness," they said.They said security forces have been rushed to the area and a search operation has been launched to nab the attackers. "Checkpoints have been established within 5 km radius of the attack site and all vehicles are being thoroughly checked before allowing them to move forward," they said.

Bandipora killings: IG admits security lapse, ten SPOs detained, investigation taken up

Admitting that killing of a Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and his father and brother by militants in Bandipora on Wednesday night was a security lapse, a senior police officer said that all the ten police personnel deployed for protection of politician have been detained and investigation has been taken up.

Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir range Vijay Kumar said it was a security lapse. All ten policemen have been arrested and investigation has been taken up, Mr Kumar said.

The 38-year-old BJP leader Wasim Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad brother Umar Bashir were fired upon by militants from a very close range when they were sitting in their shop adjacent to their house at Bandipora in north Kashmir last night. However, not a single Special Police Officer (SPOs) deployed for Bari's protection were present on the spot when the militants struck and managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

Police spokesman said all the three injured were rushed to District hospital where they were declared brought dead.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Bandipora Dr Bashir Ahmad said three persons with bullet injuries were brought to district hospital last night. They were declared brought dead on arrival, he said adding later postmortem of all the three was conducted and bodies will be handed over to their relatives after completing other medical and legal formalities on Thursday.

He said Bari was protected person and ten policemen were deployed for his security. However, he said, none of the police personnel was kept along by him at the time of incident.

Police has registered a case in this regard under relevant sections of law. Investigation is in progress and police continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this crime besides why he was without any security at the time of incident. 

The men deployed for his security are being detained for negligence under police act. BJP leader Bari was entitled to one Personnel Security Officers (PSO) but was allotted two in view of threat perception. The remaining eight were from executive wing of the police.

LG condemns killing of BJP leader, members of family in Bandipora

Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Thursday condemned the killing of Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and members of his family by militants on Wednesday night in north Kashmir district of Bandipora.

BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad and brother Umar Bashir were shot at by militants from a very close range at Bandipora when they were sitting in their shop last night. All the three injured were rushed to District hospital where they were declared brought dead.

Mr Murmu in a condolence message this morning said that the barbaric act of killing innocent people is against the humanity and the perpetrators of this cowardly act shall be brought to justice.

He expressed his deepest sympathies with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls.(UNI)