Jammu: RSS leader injured, PSO killed in suspected militant attack

Attack comes 2 days before the first phase of Lok Sabha polls in Jammu and Kashmir

gun [File] Representational image

Two days before the first phase of Lok Sabha polls, a local RSS leader Chandrakant Singh was injured, while his personal security officer (PSO) was killed in a suspected militant attack in Kishtwar district of Jammu. 

Senior police went into a huddle to investigate the matter and launch a hunt for the culprits. "Singh and his PSO were attacked at 12.30pm. PSO was killed and Singh has been critically injured," Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Angreez Singh Rana told THE WEEK. "He is being shifted to Jammu" Rana added.

The militants fired at him and the PSO, injuring both critically. The PSO succumbed to the injuries after which, the authorities announced a curfew in the district. Mobile internet services have also been snapped in Kishtwar as a precautionary security measure.

According to reports, Singh and his PSO were attacked at the district hospital where he is working in the OPD department. 

Kishtwar has a mixed population of Hindus and Muslims, and the relation between the two communities have often been tense.

The incident has happened two days before the Jammu Lok Sabha constituency goes to polls along with Baramulla in Kashmir in the first phase.

Kishtwar falls under Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency will go to poll in the second phase on April 18.

In November 2018, militants had killed state BJP secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajeed in Kishtwar when they were returning home from their shop. The authorities had then also called out the Army for help to maintain calm in the district and imposed a curfew. 

The police had blamed Hizbul Mujahideen militants for the killings then. 

Kishtwar has traditionally been a stronghold of the NC. However, in the last assembly election, BJP's Sunil Kumar had a surprise victory riding on the Modi wave.