Municipal Councillor & BJP leader Shot Dead In Pulwama; Mufti Calls It 'Senseless Acts Of Violence'

Three terrorists shot dead Municipal Councillor of Tral Rakesh Pandita Somnath on Wednesday evening.

Rakesh Pandita (Image Source:ANI)

Srinagar: Municipal councillor and BJP leader Rakesh Pandita was shot dead by terrorist in  at Tral in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district late on Wednesday evening. Pandita was visiting a friend in Tral Payeen when three terrorists barged in and open fired.

Rakesh Pandita is said to have died on the spot. 

#Terrorists shot dead one councillor namely Rakesh Pandita in #Tral. Despite provided 02 PSOs & secured hotel accommodation in Srinagar, the said councillor went to Tral without PSOs. Area cordoned off & search is going on. @JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) June 2, 2021

A woman, identified as Asifa Mushtaq, the daughter of his friend survived but is seriously wounded she is currently in a hospital undergoing treament. Her condition is said to be critical. 

Police said Pandita was residing in a secure accommodation at Srinagar and was provided two Personal Security Officers (PSOs) but did not take them on his Tral visit.

Police and security forces have cordoned the area and massive search operation has been launched to nab the assailants.

Altaf Thakur, BJP spokesperson for Jammu & Kashmir spokesperson, strongly condemned the killing of Pandita and termed the attack as barbaric. He further said that attacking unarmed people is no bravery and that police must track down the culprits and punish them. 

Former Chief Minister and president of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mehbooba Mufti, expressed her condolences on Twitter. 

Shocked to hear that BJP leader Rakesh Pandit has been shot dead by militants. These senseless acts of violence have brought only misery to J&K. My condolences to the family & may his soul rest in peace.

— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) June 2, 2021

Condemning the attack, President of Peoples Conference Sajad Lone tweeted, "Yet again gunmen attack a non combatant. This gun is a curse. Just ponder. Since the day this menace came into Kashmir. What have we seen. In a nut shell total disempowerment of the Kashmiri. Dear gunmen. Can u please go back where u came from. We have had enough."