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.
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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.
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."