Srinagar: A BJP sarpanch has been shot dead by terrorists outside his residence at Kulgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Sajad Ahmad Khanday, who was fired upon by terrorists, succumbed to his injuries as he was being shifted to a hospital, said reports. He was the district vice president of Kulgam.
The militants, who appeared to have studied the area closely, fired at him from close range at Vessu in Qazigund area, 60 km from Srinagar, police officials said.
The incident comes less than 48 hours after a BJP-affiliated panchayat member, Arif Ahmad Khan, was shot at in Kulgam district. He is recovering from his injuries in hospital.
These incidents have happened at a time when India marked a year of the nullification of Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
On the first anniversary of the Centre’s decision to revoke the special status of the region, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that a transformation is underway in Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Taking to Twitter, Jaishankar highlighted application of progressive laws, delivery of social justice, empowerment and support for vulnerable sections and rolling out of development projects as part of the transformation.