Three Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers were shot dead by suspected militants on Thursday evening in the YK Pora area of Qazigund in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district.
The three BJP workers died when unidentified gunmen opened fire at them. They were rushed to a hospital where doctors declared them dead.
The Resistance Front (TRF), which is believed to be a shadow group of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the killings.
The slain BJP workers were identified as Kulgam’s Yuva Morcha general secretary Fida Hussain Itoo and Umar Hajjam — both residents of YK Pora Qazigund and Haroron Beigh of Sopat area of Qazigund.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that terrorists fired on three BJP workers, identified as Fida Hussain Yatoo, son of Ghulam Ahmad Yatoo, resident of YK Pora (BJP District Youth General secretary); Umer Rashid Beigh, son of Abdul Rasheed Beigh, resident of Sophat Devsar (BJP worker); and Umer Ramzan Hajam, son of Mohd Ramzan, resident of YK Pora (BJP worker),” the police added.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has condemned the attack.
“Terrible news from Kulgam district of South Kashmir. I unequivocally condemn the targeted killing of the 3 BJP workers in a terror attack. May Allah grant them place in Jannat & may their families find strength during this difficult time,” he tweeted.