BJP leader, brother shot dead in J-K

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP ) Jammu and Kashmir secretary Anil Parihar (52) and his brother Ajeet (55) were shot dead by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir 's Kishtwar district on Thursday.

The incident took place at around 8 am on Thursday. "Soon after the incident, they were immediately taken to a hospital where they succumbed to injuries," BJP State President Ravinder Raina said.

Immediately after the attack, people started assembling outside the residence of Parihar and refused entry of senior police officers, who were even manhandled. The mourners refused to hand over the body to police and did not allow them to gather evidence from the Parihar Mohalla where the two brothers were shot dead.

Kishtwar is communally sensitive and the district had witnessed communal clashes in the past as well. The recent one was in August 2013. Militants have in the past attempted to create communal tension in the region by targeting the Hindu community, especially in higher reaches.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh expressed shock and pain over the killings, saying the police will leave no stone unturned to bring perpetrators of the crime to justice. He tweeted," Shocked & pained by the killing of J&K State BJP leader Sh. Anil Parihar & his brother. My heart goes out to the bereaved family. Spoke to Advisor to J&K Governor, Sh Vijay Kumar regarding the incident. The police will leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice"

BJP president Amit Shah in his tweet said the attack was a cowardly act that shames humanity, "Just got the tragic news of killing of Shri Anil Parihar, Secretary @BJP4JnK and his brother by terrorists in Kishtwar. This is a cowardly act that shames humanity. I grieve the death of my valued colleague and pray that God gives his family strength to bear this untimely loss".

Looking at the prevailing situation, curfew has been imposed in Kishtwar.

(Featured image: NDTV Khabar)