Ten security guards of the murdered BJP leader Sheikh Waseem Bari have been detained for questioning by the police, as none of them were with Bari when the militants struck. Bari, his father Bashir Ahmad, and brother Sheikh Umar Bari, were attacked at a shop outside their residence at Muslimabad in Bandipora on Wednesday evening.
The attack took place despite a police station being located nearby. The militants fled the spot after carrying out the attack. After the attack, the police detained 10 security guards of the slain BJP leader, questioning why none of them were with him when the attack happened.
A police spokesperson said a case has been registered under the relevant sections of law. “Investigation is in progress and officers continue to work to establish the full circumstances of this terror crime, apart from the question of why he was without any security at the time of the incident. The men deployed for his security are being detained for negligence under Police Act. The area has been cordoned off and search in the area is going on," the spokesman said. The attack on the BJP leader evoked strong condemnation.
“Over the telephone, PM Narendra Modi enquired about the gruesome killing of Waseem Bari. He also extended condolences to the family of Wasim,” said Minister of State (MoS) Prime Minister’s Office, Dr Jitendra Singh, in a tweet. "Terribly shaken by this brutal attack by desperately disgruntled terrorists looking for soft targets.”
BJP president J.P. Nadda also condemned the killings. “We lost Sheikh Waseem Bari, his father and brother, in Bandipora, Jammu and Kashmir, today in a cowardly attack. This is a huge loss for the party. My deepest condolences are with the family. The entire party stands with the bereaved family. I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain,” Nadda tweeted.
We lost Sheikh Waseem Bari,his father & brother in Bandipora, J&K today in a cowardly attack on them.This is a huge loss for the party. My deepest condolences are with the family.The entire Party stands with the bereaved family. I assure that their sacrifice will not go in vain.
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (@JPNadda) July 8, 2020
The attack comes at a time when security forces have killed more than 123 militants since January, mostly in South Kashmir. The incident happened on the fourth death anniversary of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. Militants had called for a strike commemorating the day.
Sorry to hear about the murderous terror attack on the BJP functionaries & their father in Bandipore earlier this evening. I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) July 8, 2020
Omar Abdullah also condemned the attack. "Sorry to hear about the murderous terror attack on the BJP functionaries and their father in Bandipora earlier this evening. I condemn the attack. My condolences to their families in this time of grief. Sadly the violent targeting of mainstream political workers continues unabated,” Omar tweeted.
