RSS Leader, PSO Shot Dead by Suspected Militants in J&K's Kishtwar; Army Called Out

Novitec

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posted on 5 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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The suspected militants barged into the hospital and snatched the PSO's weapon. They attempted to fire at the RSS leader but shot his personal security officer.

Jammu: Suspected militants on Tuesday killed an RSS leader as well as his personal security officer after snatching his weapon in a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar town, police said.

The local RSS leader, identified as Chandrakanta Sharma, was injured in the attack that targeted him, officials said. Later in the evening, BJP spokesperson Sunil Sethi said Sharma had passed away. Sharma had gone to a local hospital for a check-up, they said.

Narrating the sequence of events, officials said the suspected militants barged into the hospital and snatched the PSO's weapon. In the ensuing scuffle, the policeman was shot dead while the RSS leader received injuries.

The Army has been out to maintain law and order in Kishtwar and Bhaderwah districts of Jammu and Kashmir. The state administration imposed curfew in the town as well as the neighbouring Bhaderwah, besides snapping the Internet connection. the officials said.

This is second incident of terrorist attack in Kishtwar town during past six months period. On November 1, state secretary of BJP Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeet were returning from their shop in Kishtwar, were gunned down in the firing by terrorists in a lane leading to their house in Kishtwar town. Senior police officials have rushed to the scene, they said.

Former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti Tuesday condemned the killing of the RSS leader and his personal security officer.

"Unequivocally condemn the brutal murder of Chandrakant & his personal security officer in #Kishtwar today. There can be no place for targeting political operatives like this. I hope the residents of the area will cooperate with the administration & maintain calm," Abdullah said in a tweet.

While condemning the killings, Mufti called for a probe into the incident.

"Condemn this act of terror. Seems like part of a bigger plan to incite communal tension. Urge @jandkgovernor to initiate a probe & appeal to people of Kishtwar to maintain peace & harmony," she tweeted.

The RSS leader and his security guard were killed on Tuesday when a militant opened fire at a health centre in Kishtwar town, prompting authorities to impose curfew and call the army to maintain law and order in the communally sensitive region.