Another Councilor Injured; NC, Others Condemn
Srinagar, March 29 (GNS): A Municipal Councilor and a policeman were killed in a militant attack in Sopore area of north Kashmir on Monday. One more councilor was injured as militants fired “indiscriminately upon the Municipal Councilors near Lone Building opposite SDH Sopore.”
Official sources told GNS that councilor Reyaz Ahmad Peer son of Ghulam Nabi Peer of Ningli Sopore, policeman Shafqat Nazir Khan son of Nazir Ahmad of Mundji Sopore and another councilor Shamas Din peer son of Ghulam Mohammad Peer were seriously injured in the attack at around 1:10 p.m.
The injured were shifted to hospital where one of the councilors and the policeman succumbed to their injuries. The injured councilor was referred to Srinagar for specialized treatment, they said.
Block Medical Officer Dr Rudiyana confirmed to GNS the death of Reyaz Ahmad and SPO and injuries to Shams Din. Police said that investigations were underway as regards the attack.
Police said that militants fired at Municipal Office Sopore. In this incident, police said policeman Shafqat Ahmad and councilor Riyaz Ahmad were killed and councilor Shams-ud-din Peer got injured. “The Injured has been shifted to hospital for treatment. Area cordoned off & further details shall follow.”
“Preliminary investigation revealed that (militants) fired indiscriminately upon the Municipal Councillors near Lone Building opposite SDH Sopore resulting in injuries to two Municipal Councillors and the police personnel”.
Meanwhile, several mainstream political parties condemned the attack.
National Conference Party President and Member of Parliament from Srinagar Dr. Farooq Abdullah, and Vice President Omar Abdullah on Monday condemned attack.
They while condemning the attack in unequivocal terms said “brutality has no place in any emancipated society.”
“The duo termed the incident unfortunate and urged the police to investigate the case and nab the culprits behind the attack. The duo also expressed unison with the bereaved families and prayed for fortitude to them and peace for the deceased,” reads a party statement issued here.
In a statement, J&K Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) expressed grief over the loss of precious lives and said such “mindless and shameful acts are not acceptable, deserve strong condemnation from every section of the society.”
“JKPCC conveyed deepest condolences to family of martyred councilor and special police officer and prayed for eternal peace to departed souls and recovery of injured,” a party statement said, adding, “JKPCC has also urged the Govt to take immediate effective measures to contain such inhuman and cowardice incidents.”
CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami termed the killings as inhuman and barbaric.
In a statement, he said said that violence in any form is condemnable and there is a need to put an immediate end to these civilian killings. “The CPI(M) leader expressed sympathy with the bereaved families.” (GNS)