An ex-sarpanch was killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Shopian on Saturday night. According to the Kashmir Zone police, terrorists fired upon Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, a BJP leader, at Heerpora in Shopian. Though he was immediately evacuated, Sheikh succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.
The terrorists had also launched an attack at Anantnag following which a tourist couple from Rajasthan was injured. The attack happened on an open tourist camp near Pahalgam.
The attacks come ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in Baramulla. While the polls in Baramulla will be held on Monday, the campaigning for the Anantnag-Rajouri seat too is in full swing.
"Terrorists fired upon and injured a woman, Farha, a resident of Jaipur (in Rajasthan) and her spouse Tabrez at Yannar in Anantnag. The injured have been evacuated to a hospital for treatment. The area has been cordoned off. Further details shall follow," the Kashmir Zone Police posted on X.
Within 30 minutes, the gunmen opened fire at Sheikh in Shopian's Hirpora around 10.30 pm. Though he was rushed to a hospital, he succumbed to injuries. The areas in Anantnag and Shopian have been cordoned off and search operations have been launched to nab the attackers, the officials said.
#WATCH | J&K: Visuals from outside the residence of BJP leader and ex-Sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh, who was shot dead by terrorists yesterday in Heerpora, Shopian. https://t.co/GF4LTK64r4 pic.twitter.com/6OHuDr3U0q
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2024
According to Sheikh's kin Irfan Ahmad Sheikh they came to know about the incident after the deceased man's mother alerted them. "Around 10 pm, we heard the sound of shooting but we had no idea who it was and from where the sound came from. After 10-15 minutes, his mother said that somebody shot her son. We don't know from where the shooter came and where he went. After 10-15 minutes, Police and Army came here and we took him (Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh) to the hospital, the doctor declared him dead," he added.
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference, PDP and the BJP, condemned the attacks.
Former chief minister and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting the Lok Sabha elections from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat, said on X, "While we condemn the attack in Pahalgam today that resulted in injuries to two tourists followed by another attack on a (former) sarpanch in Hirpora, Shopian - the timing of these attacks given that the south election was delayed without any reason is a cause of concern. Especially keeping in mind normalcy claims touted by GOI (Government of India)."
National Conference President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah also condemned the terror attacks. "They have said that such acts of brutality remain a serious impediment to achieving long-term peace in J-K. They urged all communities to come together in these challenging times and support efforts towards lasting harmony. Their thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult period," a statement from the party said.
The BJP in a statement said, "We strongly condemn the killing of ex-sarpanch Aijaz Ahmad Sheikh in Hirpora, Shopian, South Kashmir, by terrorists today. Aijaz Ahmad was a brave soldier of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Jammu and Kashmir. The BJP firmly stands with the family of Aijaz Ahmad, who lost his life in this terror attack," it said.
