In a chilling incident, Jammu and Kashmir BJP state secretary Anil Parihar and his brother Ajit Parihar were shot dead by unidentified assailants in Kishtwar district on Thursday, according to reports.
"BJP Jammu and Kashmir secretary Anil Parihar and his brother were shot by terrorists in Kishtwar around 8 pm today. They were taken to hospital immediately where they succumbed to injury," BJP State President Ravinder Raina told ANI.
Soon after the incident, police rushed to the spot and launched a thorough investigation into the matter. Anticipating a breakdown of law and order, a curfew has also been imposed in the Kishtwar town. MoS PMO Jitendra Singh is on his way to the spot.
As per the media reports, the attack was carried out outside Parihar's residence while the duo was returning home after closing their stationary shop. They were shot from point blank range with pistols.
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Talking about Parihar's political career, he contested the 2008 Assembly Elections on the ticket of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and bagged the Kishtwar constituency.
Meanwhile, mourning their demise, Jammu and Kasshmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said, "Very sad news. My condolences to Anil and Ajit Parihar’s family and colleagues. May their souls rest in peace".
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Taking to Twitter, BJP chief Amit Shah said, "Just got the tragic news of killing of Shri Anil Parihar, Secretary @BJP4JnK, and his brother by terrorists in Kishtwar. This is a cowardly act that shames humanity. I grieve the death of my valued colleague and pray that God gives his family strength to bear this untimely loss".
"This is a cowardly act. Anil Parihar fought the terrorists bravely. He always upheld the Indian flag even during the most turbulent times in the state," state BJP chief Ravinder Raina said while expressing his condolences over Parihar's death.
Reacting strongly to Parihar's killing, MoS Jitendra Singh took to Twitter and wrote, "Deeply shocked by the killing of a dear Party colleague and BJP J&K State Secretary Anil Parihar and his brother. No words to express the grief. Rushing to Kishtwar at the earliest... that is the only thought on mind".
BJP state spokesman Altaf Thakur has also condemned the killing of Parihar brothers in the cowardly and barbaric attack. "Such attacks are highly condemnable and the police has been urged to nab the hands behind this dastardly act. Growing popularity of BJP across Jammu and Kashmir has frustrated many people," Thakur added.
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Though the police have not hinted at any terrorists link so far, Ravinder Raina got some specific inputs that terrorists in Kishtwar had some serious agenda and said, "this was a targeted killing".
In view of the prevailing situation in Kishtwar, Mobile Internet services have been suspended in the district of Jammu division.
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